British Science Week 2027

When is British Science Week?

The 2027 celebration takes place from 5–14 March. It lasts ten days despite the name, giving schools and community organisers room to choose a suitable session. Use the organiser’s announced dates rather than assuming every edition falls in the same numbered week of March.

This year's campaign

The official British Science Week website confirms the 2027 dates and the theme Creativity. Its 2027 resource packs use the fuller wording “Creativity: the power of ideas”, and a taster pack is available for early planning.

School assembly and classroom ideas

• Start with a question. Ask pupils what they would like to find out about an everyday object or familiar place. Sort their questions into those they can investigate and those needing further research.
• Run a design challenge. Use paper or reusable materials to build a structure for a clear purpose. Compare designs fairly, change one feature and explain the result.
• Meet someone who uses science. Invite a suitable local speaker to describe an ordinary working day, the questions they ask and the different routes into their role.
• Make a science trail. Look for patterns, materials or design decisions around the school grounds. Ask pupils to record observations before proposing explanations.
• Share the process. Hold a small exhibition of questions, sketches and revisions, including approaches that did not work as expected.

Planning for schools, families and community groups

A school science lead can coordinate with computing, maths and design colleagues. Agree the purpose, materials and staff time before booking activities. Share one manageable home activity rather than expecting families to purchase specialist equipment or prepare a major project.

A community group can invite participants to investigate a question about their own surroundings, compare observations or meet a local researcher. A library can display accessible science books alongside a question board. Offer more than one way to take part, including drawing, speaking or working with a partner.

For grants, competitions and visiting-speaker opportunities, read the current official eligibility rules, availability and deadlines. These can change between editions; a previous year’s programme is not a promise that the same opportunity will return.

Explore creativity through science

Creative thinking can shape a question, a design or a way to test an explanation. For a classroom or family activity, encourage participants to suggest more than one approach, record what they try and explain what they would change. An unexpected result can become the starting point for a better investigation.

The ideas below are adaptable suggestions. Use official age-appropriate resources and your setting’s normal supervision and safety arrangements when choosing practical work. A simple activity that participants can explain is more useful than a dramatic demonstration they cannot follow.

Official resources and related planning

Use the official resource-pack page and campaign homepage for current materials. Check the edition and age group when downloading. The British Science Association provides the organiser’s wider information.

Schools planning March activities can also explore National Careers Week, keeping its careers guidance purpose distinct from this science celebration.