In this article we report that prospective PGCE science students perceive creative lessons as incorporating three major characteristics: the need for variety, the need for relevance and finally the necessity for an appropriate classroom environment-tone/atmosphere. Our findings are based on a written task carried out as part of the selection process for the PGCE course on which the authors teach. While we are not claiming that, as it stands, this is a rigorous piece of research, we believe that the findings will be of interest to science teachers, especially those who are working with trainee teachers.