How scientists can take the initiative in schools

Sir

As a schoolteacher, I am in my own way pursuing the agenda of your Opinion article “Educating future scientists” (Nature 414, 673; 2001). I direct a programme, the science research initiative, in which science students aged 16 and above take part in experimental research, in collaboration with universities. They also write for and produce a national magazine, N-lighten, on contemporary science, and participate in a biennial conference to present their own discoveries and critically appraise those of others from schools, universities and industry.

In view of the declining numbers of graduates entering careers in science, I strongly endorse your view that the practitioners of science are ideally placed to enthuse students in schools with the excitement of modern discoveries and their implications.