Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Big Bang, the rainforest, the Galapagos Islands, DNA and the human genome are among the subjects of Darwin’s Dream, a new music-theatre piece by Graham Treacher. The premiere will be at the Shrewsbury Darwin Festival and at London’s Royal Albert Hall, March 20, with further performances in Devon in May. The production involves three professional singers, a chamber ensemble and young actors and singers.

Exhibitions provided by the Galapagos Trust will run alongside the performances and more than 100 primary pupils are creating musical interludes and artwork to accompany the final production.

Tel: 01743 281281 (Shrewsbury), 020 7589 8212 (London) www.darwinshrewsbury.org

Earth education March 16-April 13

Former teacher and university professor Steve Van Matre is leading workshops to introduce teachers and youth leaders to Earth education activities and programmes. Introductory courses will be held at country parks and environmental centres in Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Leeds, Derbyshire, County Durham, Glasgow and County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Advanced workshops are planned in Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Glasgow.

Tel: 0845 4583017 Email: office@earthed.org.uk www.eartheducation.org.uk

Say it with Noddy Channel 5, until March 31

In this initial series, Whizz the Robot, the first new character to enter Toyland since 1992, introduces pre-school children to languages daily at 7.30am. As he whizzes around on eye-catching red and yellow skates, he demonstrates and translates words, greetings and expressions from Chinese, French, Spanish, Swahili and Urdu. A fortnight is being devoted to each language.

Essay competition Closes March 1

Young writers can choose from a range of topics when they enter this year’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. These include: “Life, the Universe and everything”; the advantages and disadvantages of English being the language of the Commonwealth, and a story with the ending “and then there were none”.

Tel: 020 7930 6733 www.rcsint.org