REPRESENTATIVES from 10 primary schools, joined science coordinators last month at the Armourers Hall to learn how Boing Boing the bionic cat would change pupils' lives.

Peter Stensel, building prototypes under Professor John Cave, founder of Middlesex University Teaching Resources

Professor Larry Hench's cross-curricular story-based teaching programme, designed to stimulate interest in science and engineering, is being supported by the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers.

Each of the 10 schools were presented with £600 towards a science and technology module, and the first two Boing Boing books about a robotic cat, created for a boy named Daniel who is allergic to cat fur.

Nine and 10-year-olds will also benefit from Boing Boing Discovery Kits, designed for hands-on experiment design and testing, as well as interactive work books, as part of the Armourers and Brasiers Outreach Programme.

Larry, professor of ceramic materials and co-director of the Imperial College centre for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, demonstrated the kits, four prototypes of which were made by Middlesex University's spin-off company, Teaching Resources.

He will also take part in readings in schools during April and May.

The kits range from teaching simple mechanical linkages - if you pull Boing Boing's tail, its legs move - to incorporating motors and batteries which teach storage of electrical energy and how a motor transfers energy to make the cat move. Others include a small microprocessor and two LEDS for the cat's flashing eyes, as well as a voicebox and sensor features, including a chip capable of storing 20 seconds' worth of sounds, including the pupil's name.

"Everyone loved Boing Boing. The teachers were enthusiastic about having a combination of input that involves both reading and hands-on activities to learn by doing things," he said.

"They were also excited that the kits were made for £10 each which makes them potentially available for all schools in Britain. These kits differ from most you buy at toy stores and museums as final assembly and design is left to the youngsters to decide.

"If everything isn't put in the right way, the cat won't move - its performance depends on how well a child makes decisions.

"The child begins by assessing the engineering characteristics of Boing Boing, then assembles the kit. How well you design it determines how well the cat will perform."

Boing Boing the computer game could be launched in April.

Developed by Larry's son, Alan, the prototype which promises to be 'tough enough for anybody,' is being tested by his grand-daughter Jessica.