From January 24

Language and literacy courses run by Reading University’s National Centre for Language and Literacy include: Teaching collaborative talk across the curriculum at KS1-2 (Reading, January 24; Bradford, February 13); Preparing for KS2 Sats (Reading, February 1; Bradford, February 15); Namaste! Greetings from India (developing the art of storytelling using ancient Indian dances) (Reading, March 9; Bradford, March 23); Using picture books at KS2 (Reading, March 16; Bradford, March 13). Fee per course: pound;110pound;100 members.

Tel: 0118 378 8820 www.ncll.org.uk

History of design

February 1-March 8

Discovering Design History is the title of six introductory sessions starting at 7.15pm on Wednesdays which will explore the designers, architects, technologies and movements in design during the 20th century.

pound;10 per session. Doors open at 6.45pm and close at 9pm for wine and exhibition viewing before and after the talk. Current exhibitions include: Design Mart until February 19, a showcase of the work of Britain’s young designers; and Design Modern Britain, running until November 26.

Tel: 0870 833 9955 www.designmuseum.org

Science festival

January 28-February 5

This year’s Oxfordshire festival marks the opening of Science Oxford, the Oxford Trust’s new centre in St Clements. Public events include a series of free Meet the Scientists talks, January 28, on such topics as: atomic cages, peapods and the carbon nanoworld and foods that heal and foods that harm. On family day, January 29, events include cartoon science, fruity faces, chilly science and the big bug show.

Tel: 01865 728953 Email: events@oxtrust.org.uk

Science idol

Do you see yourself as the next David Attenborough or Susan Greenfield? FameLab, the science world’s equivalent of Pop Idol, invites science workers aged 21 upwards to give talks on a science topic for a non-scientific audience at regional heats in the spring. Twelve UK finalists will be shortlisted to receive two days of training before the final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The winner receives broadcasting time on Channel 4, a UK tour of speaking events and pound;2,000.

Tel: 01242 775824 www.Famelab.org