Figure 1.--The New Zealand science curriculum id substantively sound. The question we had is how effectively it was engaging the interest of the average student, epecially in the primary years.

The science program of course varies substantially depending on the school level. The program in primary schools is very basic. It is designed to convey some basic scientifically principles. This is usually done, but more important at the primasry level is to engage the interest of the children. This is, unfortunately, often not dome. The science prograsm progressively introduces more sophisticated scientific principles. Science and technology teaching is a maandatory part of the sceience and technology curriculum for years 1 through 10. They are both optional after year 10. Elective course are available in secondary schools for those students with a serious interest in science. By the last year of secondary school some of the students are involved in a range of sophisticated universty preparatory studies.

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