Science education is a fundamental project to cultivate top-notch innovative talents and lay a solid foundation for the development of science and technology. Tao Xingzhi’s thoughts on science education are rich in connotation: clearly analyse the value of science education, and find new life for the Chinese nation in national difficulties; drive the popularisation of science education, and carry out scientific enlightenment for scientific talents and the working public; broaden the scope of scientific knowledge, from “book science” to “life science”; advocate two-way interaction between families and schools, and gather the synergy of science education in multi-subject collaboration. Tao Xingzhi’s scientific education thought has been reflected and continued in different forms, and the new era should draw wisdom from Tao Xingzhi’s scientific education thought, and take the needs of social development as the guide to promote the construction of a scientific and technological power; innovate the practice of science education and cultivate top-notch innovative talents; promote the multi-subject integration mechanism and build a big science education pattern; improve the teacher training system, promote the high-quality development of science teachers, provide a solid guarantee for science education, and help build a strong country in education.