A study by the Australian Academy of Science shows Australian high school students have abandoned science in a big way in the past couple of decades.

There is already evidence the declining appetite for science is having a negative impact, and there is no sign the downward trend will end.

Australia's chief scientist has told AM the trend may put the future prosperity of the nation at risk and it needs to be addressed.

Twenty years ago, 94 per cent of year 11 and 12 students were enrolled in science subjects, but last year the figure dropped to 51 per cent.

The figures come from the Federal Education Department and have been examined in a study by the academy.

The lead author of the study, Professor Denis Goodrum, says Australia's place has slipped in a global comparison of the scientific literacy of students.

"Australia is doing well but we're not doing quite as well as we once did and other countries are overtaking us," he said.

"There's no evidence that the trend has stopped going down.

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"There's evidence that the decrease is slowing but one can't interpret that to say that it's troughed at this point in time."

The Academy of Science says science has been attracting students who see it as a way to get into university, and the curriculum has become crowded and dry.

The president of the Australian Science Teachers Association, Anna Davis, says the new national curriculum will have to engage students at a younger age.

"We've got to have the students doing the science, not just being spectators on the side, and the report suggests that there is still a lot of copying of notes," she said.

"The report suggests that there is still a lot of teacher demonstrations and that means that we've got a lot of students who are sitting back being spectators, not being actively engaged."

The study was commissioned by Australia's chief scientist, Professor Ian Chubb.

Professor Chubb says all Australians should be concerned by what is happening.

"I think they should be alarmed that there is a decline, whatever the numbers might be and I think, the reality for us as an Australian community is when you look at the challenges that face us and our place in the world, then a lot of them are going to require science at the core of their solution.

"I wanted to leave to my kids and future generations a healthy, prosperous, tolerant Australia that's got cultural, economic, social prosperity, and I think the extent of that's at stake.

The report makes eight recommendations including reducing the content of science subjects to a realistic level and improving ongoing training for science teachers.