This book presents a collection of papers from an international symposium on Science and Education in the 21st Century held at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences as part of a celebration of their 250th anniversary. The papers, written by leading scientists and educators, review the competence achieved by science teaching in secondary schools as well as the issues facing science education. The book also gives the first overview of what we know about sex differences in science achievement and attitudes, and analyses the factors behind these differences. Ecological aspects in science teaching are also discussed as are recommendations about science teaching for the future.