Mr Gray, a former physics teacher, said Scotland’s proud tradition in science and engineering was unlikely to be maintained unless more is invested at classroom level.
He also cited reports that more than seven million jobs in the UK would depend on science skills by 2030, meaning many of the necessary science graduates were already at school now.
“The Scottish government’s own figures show a fall in numeracy levels at all levels, primary and secondary, which means science teaching in Scottish schools is facing a perfect storm,” he told MSPs.
“Low investment, teacher shortages and falling numeracy levels are all adding to concerns about the impact of the new curriculum on pupil numbers choosing science.
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