Boffins popped into the Royal London Hospital and turned the children’s wards into a fun laboratory for a day.

East London Advertiser: Little Maddison enjoys firing her rubber-band cannon in hospital [photo: Royal Institution]Little Maddison enjoys firing her rubber-band cannon in hospital [photo: Royal Institution] (Image: Royal Institution)

Members of the Royal Institution of Great Britain put on science workshops for the young patients to cheer them up.

Activities took place in the hospital’s play area, roof garden and at the bedsides of those unable to leave their ward.

They included making elastic-band cannons and giant bubbles, performing in a singing wineglass orchestra and having balloon car races.

It all helped bring science to life and make their stay in hospital a little brighter.

East London Advertiser: Bailey with his science experiment, watched by the institution's Alom Shaha [photo: Royal Institution]Bailey with his science experiment, watched by the institution's Alom Shaha [photo: Royal Institution] (Image: Royal Institution)

The Institution’s education and science director Dr Gail Cardew said: “Our aim in hospitals is helping mums, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles and teachers spark the natural curiosity of children at an early age and set them on a lifelong course of scientific exploration.

“The Institution’s mission for 200 years has been to encourage people to think more about the wonders of science.”

The fun day roject was dreamed up by physics teacher Alom Shaha, who looked in to help the young patients like Maddison and Bailey with elastic-band cannon experiments.

The workshops use play to encourage the children to adapt to being away from home, while making sure their education doesn’t come to a standstill while they’re in hospital and helping them adjust to going back to school next term.