Discover robust evidence of science centres’ impact as demonstrated by an international study (John H. Falk, Lynn D. Dierking, Mark Needham and Lisa Prendergast), challenge your assumptions on the role of science engagement institutions and practitioners in tackling social exclusion (Matteo Merzagora) and savour a mouth-watering report on successful use of the PlayDecide game technique to engage teenagers in discussing food and health matters (Maria Zolotonosa).