British Science Week 2027 runs from 5–14 March. It's the perfect moment to inspire your pupils to ask questions, investigate, and discover — and we've created this free guide to help you get the week started brilliantly.
The British Science Association usually announces the year's theme in the autumn. This assembly is built around curiosity — the thread running through all science — so it works whatever the 2027 theme turns out to be.
Below you'll find a ready-to-use assembly script (perfect for delivery on day one) plus three quick classroom activities your pupils can run immediately afterwards. Everything is designed to be practical, engaging, and delivered with no prep. Just download, read, and deliver.
Your Curiosity Assembly Script
This script is designed to take 10–12 minutes to deliver. It works with any year group from Reception to Year 6, and requires no preparation or props. A teacher can literally read it straight to their assembly.
"Good morning everyone. I want to ask you a question to start with: What does it mean to be curious?"
[Pause for answers. Accept responses like: asking questions, wanting to know things, being interested, exploring, etc.]
"You've all said brilliant things. Curiosity is exactly that — it's wanting to know more, it's asking questions, and it's being brave enough to find out the answers. And here's something amazing: curiosity is at the heart of every single scientist who ever lived."
"Think about Isaac Newton. Hundreds of years ago, he was sitting under a tree when an apple fell on his head. Most people would have just picked it up and eaten it. But Newton was curious. He asked: 'Why did that apple fall? What made it come down?' And because he was curious and he investigated, he discovered something called gravity — one of the most important ideas in all of science.
"Or think about Marie Curie. She was curious about invisible rays of light. She spent years investigating, testing, and asking questions. And because she never gave up on her curiosity, she made discoveries that changed medicine forever.
"And right now, in 2027, scientists are still being curious. They're asking: 'How can we solve climate change?' 'Can we find life on other planets?' 'How do our brains work?' All of those questions started because someone was curious."
[Interactive moment] "I want you to try something right now. Turn to the person next to you — or if you're on your own, think of this in your head — and tell them one thing you're really curious about. It could be about animals, space, how things work, why people do things, anything at all. You've got 30 seconds. Off you go."
[Allow 30–40 seconds of quiet chat. Listen to a few answers if time allows.]
"Brilliant. You're all curious already, and that's fantastic. But here's the thing — being curious isn't just about asking questions. It's about having the courage to find out the answers. It's about being willing to try things, to test them, to get things wrong sometimes, and to keep going anyway."
"This week is British Science Week, and it is all about curiosity. Which means it's your time to be like Newton, like Curie, like all the great scientists. I want you to ask questions. I want you to investigate. I want you to be a Curiosity Detective for the next week."
"In just a moment, your teacher is going to give you a challenge. It might be writing down your biggest science question, or testing something, or interviewing a famous scientist — whatever it is, I want you to throw yourself into it. Don't worry if you don't know the answer yet. That's the whole point. Scientists don't know the answers — that's why they're curious."
[Final challenge] "So here's my challenge to you: This week, be brave. Be curious. Ask questions. Find out answers. Be a Curiosity Detective. And remember — every single scientist started exactly where you are now: with a question and a want to know more."
"Thank you for listening, and I can't wait to hear about all the brilliant things you discover this week. Off you go."
3 Quick Classroom Activities
All three of these activities can be run immediately after the assembly or as standalone lessons during the week. They require minimal prep and use everyday classroom materials.
The Curiosity Question Wall
What's the idea? Children write their biggest science question on a sticky note and add it to a class "Curiosity Wall". Throughout the week, the class investigates and tries to answer each other's questions, building both scientific knowledge and inquiry skills.
How to run it:
- Give each child a sticky note and ask them to write (or draw, for younger pupils) one science question they're curious about. Prompt examples: "How do butterflies change colour?" "Why is the sky blue?" "What's inside a volcano?"
- Display all the sticky notes on a wall or large sheet of paper — the "Curiosity Wall".
- Over the week, use these questions as starting points for science lessons, investigations, and discussions. You might even assign small groups to research answers and present back to the class.
Why it works: Puts children's own questions at the centre of learning. Teaches them that science begins with curiosity, not with textbooks.
What Happens If...?
What's the idea? A hands-on prediction and testing activity. Children predict what will happen when everyday objects are placed in water, then test their predictions and discuss the results. Simple science, maximum engagement.
How to run it:
- Gather simple materials: paper, foil, cotton wool, a stone, a feather, a plastic toy, a wooden block — anything you have to hand.
- Show children the first object (e.g., paper) and ask: "What do you think will happen if we drop this in water? Will it sink or float? What else might happen?"
- Record their predictions on the board (you can draw, or write the words).
- Test it in a bucket or tray of water. Discuss what actually happened and why.
- Repeat with 3–4 more objects. Encourage children to explain their thinking: "Why did you think it would float?" "What surprised you?"
Why it works: Builds scientific inquiry from the ground up — prediction, observation, discussion. No right answers needed; it's about thinking and testing.
The Curiosity Interview
What's the idea? Pupils work in pairs: one takes the role of a famous scientist (given a simple fact card), the other is a journalist asking about their discoveries. Builds oracy, science knowledge, and imagination in one go.
How to run it:
- Prepare simple "scientist cards" with names and one-line facts. Examples:
- Marie Curie — discovered radioactivity
- Isaac Newton — discovered gravity
- Charles Darwin — studied how animals evolve
- Stephen Hawking — studied black holes
- Rosalind Franklin — helped discover DNA structure
- Pair children up. One picks a scientist card and is the "scientist". The other is a "journalist" with a list of prompts: "What made you curious about this?" "How did you find out?" "What was your biggest discovery?" "What would you tell young scientists today?"
- Give them 5 minutes to interview (they can make up details based on what they know or imagine).
- Swap roles if time allows, or invite pairs to perform their interviews to the class.
Why it works: Speaking and listening embedded in science learning. Children see scientists as real people with curiosity (not just names in textbooks).
Want to Go Further?
This free guide is a brilliant starting point — but if you want to go bigger and deeper with British Science Week, Spark2 has you covered.
Full Curiosity Resource Pack
Get the complete British Science Week resource pack with a professionally designed assembly slideshow, 9 hands-on science activities (from slime chemistry to physics challenges), differentiated worksheets for EYFS through Year 6, and detailed teacher notes.
View Full PackBook a Spark2 Science Workshop
Bring British Science Week to life with an expert-led, hands-on workshop delivered right in your school. From bubbles and explosions to VR space exploration — your pupils won't forget it. Perfect for whole-year groups or smaller classes.
Book Now