* In his Particles and the Universe lecture tour, Professor Peter Kalmus of Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University, will explore intriguing links between the largest expanse of the universe and the tiniest fraction of an atom. Organised by the Institute of Physics for students aged 16 to 19, the tour visits another 17 UK venues before ending on July 6 at The Royal Institution, London. A preview of new A-level topics is provided for parents and teachers. Details: Catherine Wilson, IOP, 76 Portland Place, London W1, tel: 0171 470 4800; e-mail: catherine.wilson@iop.org.

* "Science and sport or inswingers, bananas and splits!" and "Why Eskimos don't build skyscrapers" are among the spring termlectures being run by The Royal Institution for secondary schools. Primary lectures include: "A scientist talks about music" and "How hot is cold?" Special events organised for SET99 week (see below) include: "Galileo Galilei" (a drama presentation for secondary students); and "Energy from the sun" workshops and talks for primary pupils. Fee: free-Pounds 2. Teachers' workshops also available. Details from the RI at 21 Albemarle Street, London W1, fax: 0171 6702920; or e-mail: schools@ri. ac.uk * Set99 (national science, engineering and technology week) takes place from March 12-21. Anyone planning an event may be eligible for funding or could attract sponsorship. An information pack (with funding details) is available from Maria Roy, British Association for the Advancement of Science,tel: 0171 973 3074.

* Schools are being encouraged to fall silent for 10 minutes on February 26 by joining a nationwide Hold Your Tongue Challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Registering schools will be sent a pack with curriculum-linked teachers' information (from pre-school to key stage 4) intended to raise children's awareness of cancer, together with sponsorship forms and ideas on how to make the sponsored silence fun. Tel: 0845 604 3601.