British Science Week 2026 – Live Lesson: Monday, 9 March

Live Lessons

Curriculum links:

• National Curriculum, England - Key Stage 2 – Science
• National Curriculum, Northern Ireland - Key Stage 1 and 2 – The World Around Us
• Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland - 1st and 2nd Level – Sciences
• Curriculum for Wales - Progression steps 2 and 3 – Science & Technology

Learning objectives:

• Understand that light travels in a straight line and that objects can be seen because they emit or reflect light into the eye.
• Be able to identify different light sources.
• Know that light from the Sun can be dangerous to their eyes, and to never look directly at it.
• Use knowledge of the properties of light to show how it can be used in a creative way through the use of mirrors.
• Describe the relative movements of the Earth, Moon and Sun and understand our place in the solar system.
• Use simple models to communicate an understanding of size, scale, time and relative motion in our solar system.
• Understand that the Earth’s rotation gives us night and day.
• Observe, research and ask questions about features of our solar system.

Join us during British Science Week for a Horrible Science inspired lesson.

This Live Lesson will be packed with curriculum-linked fun as children make a movie starring the Moon from CBBC's Horrible Science.

During the lesson, aimed at 7-11 year-olds, pupils will investigate light energy and learn about the Moon and our solar system to ensure their final script is science fact, rather than science fiction.

Presenters Grace Webb and 'The Rapping Science Teacher' Matt Green will be on hand to guide them, while artist Venessa Scott creates a poster for classrooms capturing the key learning points.

Astronaut Tim Peake will also make a special guest appearance sharing facts about the Moon, as he marks the 10th anniversary of his mission to the International Space Station.

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that will take place between 6-15 March 2026.

The 30 minute Live Lesson will be available to watch on Monday 9 March 2026 at 11:00 on the CBBC channel and from 09:00 on this page.

White Rose Science

White Rose Science have developed free follow-on resources aligned with this year’s British Science Week theme, ‘Curiosity:What’s your question?'. The resources include activity sheets, questions and teaching guidance and have been designed to lead on from the Live Lesson, but can also be used flexibly.

Mission Packs

Download the Mission Pack in preparation for the Live Lesson. There are 3 versions available. Choose the option which best suits your needs.

Pupils are still able to participate without access to the Mission Packs. All instructions will be on screen. We recommend that pupils have a notebook and pen or pencil to hand.

How to get involved:

• This programme is pre-recorded and will be accompanied by a live website commentary feed for schools on this page. We’ll be updating it with your comments and shout-outs live throughout the broadcast.

• Email your shout-outs to live.lessons@bbc.co.uk with British Science Week as the subject, or get in touch using the get in touch form or using #BBCLiveLessons.

If you are sending in any images or videos that feature children, please confirm in your email that you have parental or guardian permission. For more information about how we collect and use personal data about you during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law, please read the Privacy Notice.

What is Horrible Science?

Horrible Science is a comedy sketch series from the award-winning team behind Horrible Histories. It can be watched here on BBC iPlayer.

Horrible Science is also available in short video clips on BBC Bitesize - designed with classroom use in mind and aligned with the National Curriculum for Primary Science.

Read this article to find out how you can get the most out of Horrible Science in your classroom.

Where next?