In this issue of the Learning Curve, practising scientists, professors, school teachers and innovators ruminate on the methods and merits of science education. A range of topics from ​‘why teach science’ to ​‘how to make science fun for children’ to ​‘how to encourage children to take up higher education in science’ and ​‘how critical it is that we have a strong stream of scientists emerging from our education system’ are addressed in this issue.