Help Children Discover the Wonder of Science
The How & Why Project is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that brings inspiring science books, exciting demonstrations, and engaging workshops into Bristol primary schools – at no cost to the schools themselves.
We’re looking for a small number of Bristol businesses to become founding partners, helping us put the excitement of science directly into children’s hands. Because every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of asking How? and Why?
Bringing science to life …
Primary-school children are natural scientists; they ask questions about the world around them. The How & Why Project is designed to nurture that curiosity.
We bring together three things:
1. Beautiful, engaging, innovative science books:
Children receive beautifully illustrated Rhyme & Reason books (hear them on YouTube here) that explain fascinating scientific ideas clearly and accurately – using memorable rhymes alongside engaging illustrations.
2. Inspiring Science Demonstrations:
Science author Jack Challoner (with over 50 books to his name) brings the ideas in the books to life through exciting, hands-on demonstrations that children can see, hear and experience for themselves.
3. Engaging school visits:
Assemblies and workshops encourage children to think, question and explore – while showing them that science isn’t just something you read about – it’s something you do. And because the project is funded by local businesses, participating schools pay nothing.
It starts with curiosity …
Primary school is a crucial time for developing a child’s relationship with science.
It’s when children naturally ask how and why about almost everything. Teachers do an extraordinary job of nurturing that curiosity, but packed curricula, limited resources and competing demands can make it difficult to give science the time and attention it deserves.
The How & Why Project is designed to help. By combining books, demonstrations and author-led sessions, we can make science memorable, accessible and – most importantly – fun.
The children love it. So do the teachers.
“If I get to be a scientist, I will remember you for inspiration.”
— from a letter to Jack written by a primary-school pupil.
“Jack was an absolute hit with teachers and pupils alike! From his engaging whole school assembly in the morning to his jaw-dropping science demonstrations in the year group workshops, the whole school was buzzing.”
— Vicky Barnard, Backwell Junior School.
“I can see how children would really engage with these books and how they can supplement our science teaching by being used within lessons or within a set of topic books during reading time.”
— Tom Weller, St Werburghs Primary School.
The books …
The project’s Rhyme & Reason series combines scientifically accurate explanations with memorable rhymes and striking illustrations. You can see and hear Jack reading the books on his new YouTube channel.
The four books currently available are:
• Rhyme & Reason: How Do We See?
• Rhyme & Reason: How Do Plants Grow?
• Rhyme & Reason: Why Do Things Fall Down?
• Rhyme & Reason: What is Water?
Two further titles are in development. The books are designed to be enjoyable enough for children to read for pleasure, while providing clear explanations that teachers can use to support classroom learning.
The rhymes also provide a natural connection between science and literacy.
Why become a How & Why Project partner?
The How & Why Project gives local businesses a simple way to make a tangible difference in their own communities. Your sponsorship can …
Make a Difference Locally:
Help children in Bristol and the surrounding area experience inspiring science activities that their schools might otherwise struggle to provide.Support teachers
Support Teachers:
Give teachers high-quality books and engaging activities that can continue to be used long after Jack’s visit.
Give Your Employees Something to be Proud of:
Where appropriate, sponsorship packages can include opportunities for employees to engage with the project and its activities.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Education:
Show your customers, employees and local community that your company is investing in the next generation.
And, of course, your company gets to be part of the story. All sponsorship packages include appropriate PR recognition and co-branded opportunities.
Choose your level of impact
We have created three sponsorship levels, but we’re very happy to develop something bespoke for your company.
Bronze — £1,500
Inspire a classroom
- A full classroom set of 30 Rhyme & Reason books
- One author-led assembly or workshop
- Company logo included inside donated books
- Social-media recognition
- Photographs for company use
£1,500 can put a whole set of inspiring science books into one classroom – and bring them to life with a visit from their author.
Silver — £5,000
Inspire a whole school
- A school library starter pack of 40+ books across the series
- Four author-led assemblies and/or workshops
- All Bronze benefits
- A dedicated press release
- Invitation for employees to attend workshops
A Silver partnership can bring the project to an entire school community.
Gold — £10,000
Help spread the wonder
- 100+ of each Rhyme & Reason book
- Ten author-led assemblies and/or workshops
- All Silver benefits
- Headline local media/radio promotion
- Bespoke employee volunteering opportunities
A Gold partnership can help take The How & Why Project beyond a single classroom or school and begin creating a wider local impact.
Or create something completely bespoke
Your company may have its own ideas about how you’d like to support local schools.
For example, you could:
- Sponsor schools close to your offices or workplace
- Support a particular year group
- Ask Jack to focus on particular scientific topics
- Donate a book to every child in a participating school
- Create an employee volunteering initiative around the project
We’ll work with you to create a partnership that fits your company’s aims and makes a genuine difference to children.
Become a founding partner
We’re currently looking for a small number of businesses to become the founding partners of The How & Why Project, which we plan to launch in Bristol and the surrounding area in late autumn 2026.
The first partners will help us establish the project, reach out to our first schools and discover what works best before we expand to other regions.
Ready to bring wonder to a Bristol classroom?
Let’s build a sponsorship package that fits your company’s goals.