Science education specialists are worried that high-school science is perceived as a 'snack' option in a subject smorgasbord, rather than as a main course.

They also believe that some science class activity 'menus' are becoming stale, and could benefit from a renewal process.

The Central Queensland University team is keen to help improve the status of school science and to help inject more science-trained specialist teachers to act as catalysts and leaders in the process.

Dr Allan Harrison and Dr Ken Appleton, from the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts, said Queensland had performed well in a global comparative study of science teaching outcomes.

They said, however, that interstate and international competitors were forging ahead, and Queensland needed to develop strong initiatives just to keep up with the pack.

Dr Harrison and Dr Appleton returned this week from the world's biggest international science education conference in the United States. Hosted by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, the international event attracted 850 delegates. ENDS