There are many opportunities to engage pupils in activities beyond the classroom that are appropriately demanding and link to school science.

Award schemes -- these involve taking part in a project over an extended period of time. For example, CREST (Creativity on Science and Technology) involves scientists and engineers working with pupils to devise and evaluate projects. Details are available from BA (British Association for the advancement of science) or SETNET (Science Engineering Technology and Mathematics Network).

Events -- these can be one-off Science Days or extended activities, often centred at museums and interactive science centres. For details, contact BA or SETNET, local museums or BIG (British Interactive Group).

Competitions -- there are a number of national annual competitions, such as Science Challenge and Health Matters, which are organised by the Association for Science Education. Local competitions are often organised by branches of British Association for Young Scientists (BAYS) or local museums, libraries and interactive science centres.

Parental/family support -- DfES publishes resources for parents and others to help support pupils' learning out of schools. Each unit in the QCA/DfES key stage 3 schemes of work for science has suggestions for activities that support out-of-school learning, related to leisure, the local environment and local facilities.

Arranging activities outside the school in the general guidance

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