The organisers of this weeklong festival describe it as "serious fun", aiming to stimulate public debate and capture childrens' imaginations.

The broad programme begins tomorrow with the Bright Sparks Family Day (Hove Park School, Nevill Road, Hove, 10am- 6pm, under-7s free, 7-14 years £4, over-14s £6). The event is aimed at 7-12 year olds but is suitable for all children. They will have the chance to walk on custard, see a worm farm, enter a sand castle building contest and watch a man fly using a rocket belt.

Sunday is White Heat Family Day (same venue, times and prices), with the focus on 10-15 year olds, who will be able to walk with robots, land a jumbo jet at Heathrow in an aircraft simulator and race in elastic-powered cars.

The Catalyst Club will be staging a series of special nights at the Joogleberry (all 7.30pm-11pm, £6) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, March 2.

Tuesday's event will centre on Anna Dumitriu's Institute Of Unnecessary Research, providing an artist's view of science. On Wednesday, audience members will have the chance to see their words in print - if they can succinctly sum up "a big scientific theory", they can earn a place in Ivy Press' forthcoming 30-Second Theories book.

You can find out How To Make A Difference on Tuesday (Friends' Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, 7.30pm-10pm, free) with a practical guide to leading a more eco-friendly life.

The organisers promise there "will be no lecturing, just useful suggestions".

The Famous Brighton Sewer Tour (5pm & 6.30pm, adults £10, 11-16 years £5, call 01273 777628) returns on Wednesday. Always popular, this onehour journey through the city's Victorian sewers will begin underneath the Palace Pier.

Also on Wednesday, the BHASVIC Science Showcase (BHASVIC, Dyke Road, Hove, 7.30pm, £2) sees the presenters build the world's largest ear to shows how sound travels to the brain.

The Duke Of York's cinema will be screening Bladerunner: The Final Cut tonight and tomorrow at 11.30pm (Preston Circus, Brighton, 0870 805465).

Events will continue until March 2, culminating in the Big Science Weekend, which will be previewed in The Guide next week.

  • Visit www.brightonscience.com