This study explores the literature on science education, categorises themes within the literature and uses this as a framework to analyse student views. The purpose of the study was to find out student perceptions ofscience and the teaching of science. The researcher interviewed, individually, sixteen students, (two boys and two girls), at each class level from Years 5 to Years 8. The participants in the focus group were chosen primarily for their skills in articulating their views and their interest in science. The resea~ch method of an open-ended survey, with set questions was used to enable students to provide descriptive answers that were later categorised. The findings showed how students made sense of their curriculum in science and how they were able to make suggestions to enhance their future learning in science. Although the research was conducted with a small group of students at the selected class levels there is tentative evidence that could be helpful to teachers in the teaching of science. At the conclusion of the report the views of students and the literature are incorporated in suggestions for teachers in the delivery of science education in their classroom.