In the light of ongoing concerns about students' engagement with science, a number of programmes have been developed to try to increase students' interest in school science. Data gathered for an evaluation of one such programme, Science Across the World, and presented in this article, provide insight from the students themselves into how to spark enthusiasm for science. Interviews with secondary students highlighted a number of potential points of engagement with school science, including hands-on, extended activities, opportunities for local and international collaboration, and in-depth treatment of topical issues in science and their implications.