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Science at home: how to keep your child curious

British Science Week 2027 ran from 5 to 14 March, with the theme Creativity. Here is why your interest matters, and four easy ways to keep the curiosity going at home.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

British Science Week 2027 ran from 5 to 14 March. Its theme was Creativity: how creative ideas grow from curious questions. Schools will have done activities, so this is a good week to carry the conversation on at home.[2]

2. What the numbers say

The Science Education Tracker surveyed more than 7,000 young people in England in summer 2023. Interest in science fell most in Year 7: from 83% in 2019 to 72% in 2023. In Year 8 it fell from 76% to 70%.[1]

Only 9% had a strong science identity, while 32% felt science was “not for me”. More than half (51%) did not think their parents were interested in science.[1]

Pupils interested in science (Science Education Tracker)
2019
2023
Year 7
83%
72%
Year 8
76%
70%

3. Why parents matter

Young people named their parents as the most influential source of career advice. Showing your own interest, even in small ways, helps them see that science is for people like them.[1]

You don’t need to be a scientist: Saying “I don’t know, let’s find out” is one of the best things you can do. It shows that questions are welcome.

4. Four ways to spark curiosity

Pick one this week. Keep it light and let your child lead.

Stay curious. Ask more questions.

Ask “why?” together

Why does bread rise? Why is the sky blue? Look it up as a team.

Cook it, test it

Recipes are experiments. Change one thing, such as baking time, and compare the results.

Spot it in the news

Weather, space and health stories are science. Talk about one story a week.

Visit and explore

Many London museums are free. Let your child choose what to look at first.

Want help with science at school?: Our teachers support KS3 and GCSE science, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When was British Science Week 2027?

  2. 2. How did Year 7 interest in science change between 2019 and 2023?

  3. 3. What share of young people did not think their parents were interested in science?

Your next steps

  • Ask your child one “why” question this week and find the answer together.
  • Try one kitchen experiment at the weekend.
  • Plan a free museum visit before the Easter holidays.

Sources

  1. Royal Society and EngineeringUK. Science Education Tracker 2023 (published April 2024). royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/science-education-tracker/science-education-tracker-2023.pdf
  2. British Science Association. The theme for British Science Week 2027 is Creativity (September 2026). britishscienceweek.org/the-theme-for-2027-is-creativity

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.