In Sweden, students attend nine years of compulsory school (Grundskola), after which there are three years of optional secondary school. With educational targets in science subjects that have to be met by grade five (age 11), the reforms mean that the planning to reach these goals has to start from grade one (age 7). Inspiration for the new National Standards was taken from ongoing work in other countries, particularly at the National Academy of Sciencesw3 in the USA. This work called for a new science education strategy. Sven-Olof himself has been involved in the development of a new science education programme called NTAw4 (Natural science and Technology for All; see box).