Concept:The secondary-level science curriculum aims to develop scientific knowledge, skills, and a scientific temper, not just theoretical learning or fear.
Explanation:According to NCF-2005 and the Position Paper on Teaching of Science (2006), the general aims of science education include several broad outcomes.
A learner should know the facts and principles of science and their applications.
The learner should also acquire the skills and methods that lead to the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.
A historical and developmental perspective of science is important.
The learner should relate science to the environment and appreciate issues at the interface of science, technology, and society.
Practical technical skills and theoretical knowledge are both needed to enter the world of work.
Science education should nurture curiosity, aesthetic sense, and creativity.
It should also imbibe values like honesty, integrity, cooperation, and concern for the environment.
Crucially, it should cultivate scientific temper, objectivity, critical thinking, and freedom from fear and prejudice.
Option B is incomplete because it mentions only theoretical knowledge.
Option C is narrow because it focuses only on criticism, not on overall learning.
Option D is incorrect because science education removes fear and prejudice, not develops them.
Answer:Therefore, the correct aim of teaching science at the secondary level is to know about the facts and principles of science and its applications.
Correct option: A.