The story of children who were sent to the country and overseas to escape bombing in the Second World War is explored at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1. Special features include recreations of a wartime railway station and classroom, a child’s bedroom and a section on the sinking of the evacuee ship, “City of Benares”, by a German U-boat in 1940 with the loss of 73 children. Details: 0171 416 5313.

MARCH 20-23 SCIENCE WEEK Events at Bacon’s College, Rotherhithe, London SE16, include: a public debate on genetic screening; “Murder at the College”, a sixth-form conference on forensic science (Pounds 2.50 per student); an interactive science quiz in the Bacon’s bar (Pounds 1 adults, 50p children); and a community day to be opened by Simon Hughes MP. Details: 0171 237 1928.

MARCH 21 LIFE ON THE SEASHORE Illustrated presentation with audience participation (by children) by marine ecology expert Dr Paul Cragg, school of life sciences, University of North London. Part of the University’s centenary celebrations, the event will be held at the Royal Geographical Society Lecture Theatre, Kensington, London SW7, 5.30 pm. Free admission. Details: John Izbicki, 0171 753 5781.

MARCH 22 HIGH DRAMA ON AN ECUADORIAN VOLCANO Free public lecture to be given as part of Science Week (Set 96) by Richard Snailham at St Dunstan’s College, London SE6, 4 pm. Details: Diana Hirst, 0181 690 1274.

MARCH 24 HARLEQUIN TELLS TALES!

Members of a wind quintet play, talk, act and sing alongside mezzo soprano Susannah Self and pianist Alexander Wells. Tales told include Harlequin’s Escapade, Roald Dahl’s Dirty Beasts, and The Old Cigarette Lighter, a lively new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Tinder Box. Venue: Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, London SE1, 3.15 pm and 7.30 pm. Bookings: Royal Festival Hall box office, 0171 960 4242.

MARCH 25 EDUCATION AND INTEGRITY Inaugural lecture to be given by Professor Ron Best, assistant dean (programmes) in Roehampton Institute’s faculty of education, in the Froebel Institute College, London SW15, 6 pm. He will question schooling which makes personal growth subordinate to technical competence. All welcome. Details: 0181 392 3180.

MARCH 25-29 TALENTS UNLIMITED: THE CHALLENGE OF THE ABLE CHILD Seminars organised by new children’s charity, Aganippe, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. Speaker: David George, formerly associate director of Nene College, Northampton, and an ex-president of the National Association for Able Children in Education. Fee: Pounds 85. Details: 01542 860383.