There are calls for more widespread action when it comes to boosting success rates of science programmes in schools.

The latest national monitoring study of student achievement, shows a 74 per cent drop in the number of students meeting the expected standard in science between Years four and eight.

Former science teacher Chris Duggan told Mike Hosking while there's been plenty of money being thrown around - it's not targeting a big enough range.

"In my view, we need to rethink this and do something a lot bigger that is reaching every single student in this country."

He said it's because a lot primary teachers don't feel confident to teach the subject, and schools often aren't adequately resourced.

"Myself and many other secondary teachers, have seen kids coming into their classes year after year with an attitude that science isn't for them. By the time they are 13 or 14 that's really hard to unpack that."

Duggan started a non-profit, House of Science, to give teachers travelling, self-explanatory experiments and kits on different topics tat they can pull out of the box, and teach.

"It is hard work because we are not funded through the government but we are finding that this system works. The teacher love it and we have posted 10,000 students per week doing hands on science."