Across the country there have been increasing concerns that fewer students are taking up science and maths-based subjects, which are important to the nation’s economy.

Getting children interested in science can be difficult, but if their interest and curiosity is aroused at a young age, they are more likely to want to study the subject when they are older.

In Bradford, an innovative project is having a marked effect on children in their final years at primary school. The project has been brought to the city by the world’s leading chemical company BASF, one of the global sponsors of this year’s scientific celebration the International Year of Chemistry and one of a number of companies taking part in the British Science Festival in Bradford in September.

In the past year, around 2,500 children from the Bradford district have benefited from a visit to Kids’ Lab, an initiative which enables children as young as nine to carry out fun experiments alongside professional scientists. Pupils from other districts across West Yorkshire are also benefiting.

The aim is that the experience fuels their interest in science as a subject to study at secondary school, in further education and to possibly take up as a career.

“As a company, we are always looking for activities through which we can reach out to children. Kids’ Lab is one of the main initiatives,” says Joanne Love, BASF’s spokesman at the firm’s Low Moor site. “When they come to the lab they are so excited by what they see. They don’t realise what an impact science has on everyday life – when they wake up in a warm duvet, turn on a tap, play on their Xbox, use a mobile phone, these things are all related to science in one way or another.”

The company – which manufactures products including construction chemicals, pest control solutions and industrial coatings – opened its first Kids’ Lab at its headquarters in Germany in 1997 and now offers the scheme in 15 countries.

Catherine Brown, Year 5 class teacher at Worthinghead Primary School, Wyke, whose pupils visited the lab, says: “They really enjoyed it. They loved the experiment and the fact that they all wore white lab coats and protective glasses.

“It gave them a different way of looking at things, and realising that science isn’t just something you do in school, but something that is part of the wider world.”

She adds: “This is just the right age – too young and children would not understand, but at this age they get a lot out of it.” Caroline Balaam, science co-ordinator at Hill Top Primary in Low Moor, is about to visit the lab with a class of youngsters For a second time. “We went last year and the children loved the whole experience. They got to see lots of real science, and watch scientists at work. They found it very exciting.”

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, who opened Kids’ Lab in November last year, believes it makes a valuable contribution to education, giving pupils a taste of science at work: “It is hands-on in the working environment, which makes it more realistic.”

He adds that Bradford is “leading the way” in having the facility in the district.

To mark the British Science Festival, Kids’ Lab will be hosting special science workshops.