Pupils from state and independent schools are uniting to take part in a University Challenge-style science quiz.

Following the quiz at St Edward's School, in Woodstock Road, Oxford, on Saturday, the children will hear Oxford University academic Prof Richard Dawkins talk about science.

The event, Café des Sciences, is the brainchild of Dr Kendall Williams, St Edward's head of science, who is also chairman of educational projects at the Oxford International Biomedical Centre, in Culham.

The county council schools taking part are Didcot Girls' School; Warriner School, in Bloxham; Matthew Arnold School, in Cumnor Hill; Cherwell School, in Oxford; and Fitzharrys School, in Abingdon.

The event comes shortly after St Edward's pupil Sam Smith was awarded the Chemist of the Year prize by the Society of Chemical Industry and the Oxfordshire Independent State School Partnership.

Dr Charles Pasternak, OIBC's director, said: "The number of students taking up a career in science is on the decline.

"Enthusing youngsters back into science is crucial to the future of our country.

"I am delighted that, through Dr Williams' expertise and the good will of St Edward's School, as well as the support of Richard Dawkins, the OIBC is able to launch its Educational Projects in a fitting manner.

"Our aim is to extend to the state sector some of the opportunities enjoyed by independent establish- ments.

"Our goals now are two-fold - to extend Café des Sciences to the whole of Oxfordshire, and to provide the back-up to enable schools throughout the UK to take up the challenge."