Sefton School Advisory Service has been working with Crossens Nursery School in Southport on a project to develop science and technology. The overall project was inspired by the visit of the headteacher to the Reggio Emilia school in Italy. Central to the Reggio approach is a philosophy which values the children as researchers and as partners with adults. Children are encouraged to handle natural materials and to explore light, reflection and shadows. The work they do is documented by the adults and the children's ideas are used as starting points for planning exploration and play. The environment in which they work is aesthetically pleasing and stimulating. It was these aspects of the approach which the head teacher of Crossens wanted to develop in the school. Within the project the adults had the opportunity to develop their own observational skills and to take part in action research. The main focus of the research was the way in which they learned to collate and evaluate children's talk, work and play and to use this to inform the planning of the next stage of learning. Children developed scientific skills and knowledge as they engaged in a creative activity. (Contains 5 figures.)