Abstract:
Since the 60s, science curricula with emphasis in STS - Science, Technology and Society - have been developed all around the world. These curricula aim, mainly, at preparing students to the exercise of the citizenship and are characterized by approaching science content in the social context. In this article we discuss critically the presupposition of such curricula as to provide support for the elaboration of new curricular models in the area of Natural Science and its Technologies which can contribute to the aim of Primary and Secondary Education of preparing the students to the conscious exercise of citizenship.