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fieldwork, lab experiments and visits to museums, as they considerably add value to the teaching of natural sciences and convey a sense of wonder, curiosity, eagerness and enchantment. The ability and expertise in comprehending different kinds of natural sciences texts, methods and technological solutions is an excellent basis for any additional studies and lifelong learning, at work or in your spare time. To sum up, active teaching methods are essential in natural sciences teaching. Based on experience we can clearly state that these methods are more effective than others. Just as nature and its fatcs are diverse, so should be our teaching.
3.2.
PORTUGAL
The Portuguese Educational System is organized in levels of education, training and learning: pre-school education and school education. Pre-school education is optional and is intended for children aged between 3 and 6 years old, the age of compulsory enrollment. School education is divided into three levels: Basic education (or Middle School), which comprises three sequential cycles in a total of nine years, the first cycle with four years, the second cycle with two years and the third cycle that lasts three years; Secondary education (or High School) comprising a cycle of three years; Higher education, which includes university education and polytechnic education. The 1st cycle of basic education is given by one teacher and aims at the development of basic skills in Portuguese Language, Mathematics, Environment Study and Enrichment Activities. Natural Sciences are treated in the scope of the Environment Study, together with contents of History and Geography. The 2nd cycle is organized by disciplinary areas and the 3rd cycle is divided into several subjects. Natural Sciences is a formal subject in both cycles to ensure a general formation common to all students, providing the acquisition of basic knowledge that allows studies continuity. The instruction is identical for all pupils up to the 3rd cycle of basic education, except for those with learning difficulties who need special education such and have specific guidelines. In the Secondary Level of Education pupils have to choose an area of education to continue their studies, leaving this way the previous uniformity. The types of subjects comprise four different groups of scientific and humanistic courses: Sciences and Technologies; Visual Arts; Socio-economic Sciences and Social and Human Sciences. The national curriculum of basic education, which includes the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles, is organized in a perspective of scientific literacy, aiming at the