See 2009 Differently At Science Museum

This season's free discussions, performances and interactive evenings cover:

We are what we eat

This season we're grappling with one of the most basic aspects of our lives: what we eat. While they are an intrinsic part of our day-to-day existence, our eating habits raise issues regularly on political agendas, in the media, and in the conversations we have with friends and family. Highlights:

* Punk Science: Eat It (14 Jan) – the new show from the Science Museum's in-house comedy team.

* Future Foods: See the exhibition, then join the GM Debate (22 Jan) – are you Pro GM or No GM?

* Eat Leaner, Live Longer (25 Feb) – does eating make us live longer? Research suggests so, but why?

Conflict and harmony

Our modern urban lives are in perpetual motion, swinging towards harmonious periods before erupting into unrest and conflict. This season we explore these powerful opposing forces as we look at how conflict affects the mind both at work and on the battlefield, and we'll be finding out how conflict and harmony meld in the unique lifestyle of martial arts. Highlights:

* Natural-Born Killer (13 Jan) – find out if some people are pre-wired to murder, the subject of an upcoming BBC documentary.

* War of the Sexes (4 Feb) – do gender stereotypes fall apart when we put them to the test?

* Total Control! Martial Arts and Science (24 Feb) – see and learn the science behind kicking ass.

Creativity

What is creativity? We take an original and inventive look at the possibilities...We find out how brain imaging techniques are uncovering the nuts and bolts of this great mystery of the human mind. We're also exploring how the creative process might be enhanced, now and in the future, with artists, scientists and musicians. Highlights:

* An Experiment in Kissing (12 Feb) – artist Charlie Murphy visits the Dana Centre to ‘cast kisses'.

* Creative Brains (12 Mar) – what does creativity look like? Neuroscientists, musicians and visual artists expose creativity in action.

* Bedhead (16 Mar) – a fantastical bed installation by Lizzie Burns asks you to share your experiences and perspectives on sleeping.

Dana Centre is just one part of the Science Museum's evening events programme. New for 2009, the Science Museum will be opening its doors to adults on the last Wednesday of almost every month with an exclusive programme of ‘cultural happenings' in Science Museum Lates. -- www.sciencemuseum.org.uk