If you have views on science education in this State, it's not too late to make them known. The Task Force on the Physical Sciences, which was established last autumn, is still keen to receive submissions - particularly from students, parents and teachers.

"So far, we've received about 50 submissions, mostly from organisations. We've had relatively few from individuals, which is a pity because their submissions are often the most creative and inspirational," says Cyril Drury, who is the taskforce's national strategy co-ordinator, responsible for second level. Dr Aine Allen is national strategy co-ordinator with third-level responsibility.

The task force, chaired by former president of DCU Dr Danny O'Hare, has been set up to support the promotion of physical science subjects at second and third levels. Decreases in the number of students taking chemistry and physics at second level and the drop in numbers applying for physics and chemistry places at third level has been a cause of concern for some time.

Innumerable studies and discussion documents on various facets of the problem have been published. It's the job of the task force's two coordinators to trawl through the research and work on a set of policy recommendations.

It's no easy task. The issue must be tackled from a variety of angles. "Many of the reports have focused on education and the "crisis at second level", Allen explains, "but there's a recognition on the Minister's part that the problems are not totally related to those at second level. It's a worldwide problem - even the US has the same concerns about the participation levels in science education."

At second level the task force is considering a range of issues, including curriculum and assessment, resources, career guidance supports, teacher training and ongoing professional development for science teachers. Lab work is essential in the study of science - but how is it to be funded and resourced? Would the introduction of assessment of science practicals for exam purposes be the best way to ensure that science becomes a more handson - and hence a more interesting and relevant - discipline?

Surprisingly, science at primary level has been omitted from the task force's remit. The group, however, has decided to take it on board. Drury points to the Oireachtas report on science and technology, which is critical of the one-hour per week allocated to science in the revised primary school curriculum. "The Department has demonstrated no urgency in seeking to roll out science in the primary schools," the report says. "Its projected budget for the project - £1 million for once-off training of teachers and £1.7 million to date in equipment is derisorily small."

The decrease in numbers taking science at second level is invariably blamed for the drop - off at third level. But, Aine Allen asks, is this true? "I'm looking at what can be done at third level to bring students on to science-related courses," she says. Even if the decline in numbers is halted at second level, there's no guarantee that these students will take up science at third level, she says.

Many third-level institutions are already co-operating with schools to foster an interest in science. For the future they will have to forge even closer links, Allen believes. They should, too, be involved in the delivery of science in-service in cooperation with college education departments, she says.

Career opportunities in science need to be emphasised - and here employers have a role to play. Similarly, science researchers need a proper, appropriately remunerated career structure.

It's up to scientists in academia and industry to spread the word about the relevance of science to all our lives. The general public - and parents in particular - need to be made acutely aware of the value of science both in terms of career opportunities and for the life skills its study can impart, Allen says.

By mid-May you'll be able to visit the task force's website: www.sciencetaskforce.ie

Contact: Task Force on the Physical Sciences, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin 9. Tel (01) 853 5124.