A programme of parental engagement with school science is described, in which parents and their children take part in scientific debate and practical science lessons. Three sessions, in biology, chemistry and physics, of this ongoing programme are described, through which parents have been able to support their children by learning science with them and have had their awareness raised of the benefits of scientific endeavour and of the ethical issues it can raise. This model of learning is enriching and transformational, showing how the school can become a community of learning involving students, parents and teachers.