A Science Curriculum Study Committee was appointed in 1980 to thoroughly review and study the status of the North Carolina science program and to develop recommendations which, upon implementation, would significantly improve the quality of the total state K-12 science program. The committee was organized into three subcommittees with the following areas of responsibility: (1) curriculum; (2) facilities and materials; and (3) competent staffing. This document is the committee's report. Chapter 1 discusses the organization of the study. Chapter 2 highlights the background status of science education, discussing the five major concerns which were the base from which the committee launched its study of the state's science curriculum. The remaining chapters focus on the problems and challenges associated with the three major areas of the science program: curriculum (chapter 3); facilities, equipment, and materials (chapter 4); and staff (chapter 5), including a profile of the North Carolina Science teacher and addressing preservice/inservice and certification issues. Each chapter includes recommendations and rationale for these recommendations. An executive summary is found at the beginning of the report, listing the 23 recommendations and the expected improvements in the state's science programs should the recommendations be accepted and implemented. (Author/JN)