What science education is promoted for primary education in Spain? An analysis of the national curriculum

Abstract

Science education promoted by the national curriculum of primary education in Spain is analyzed. The analysis pays attention to the following aspects regarding the school science: nature and sociology of science; axiology; psychology in science learning; goals, competences, contents and evaluation criteria; activities, didactic and methodological resources and teaching strategies. Results indicate that primary school science proposed in the national curriculum does not completely adjust with current trends in Science Education. In view of the lacks detected in the curriculum several recommendations are proposed.