naturfag

Naturfag is a school subject in Norway that covers the natural sciences. It aims to develop students' understanding of natural phenomena and scientific literacy, including observing, questioning, experimenting, and evaluating evidence. The subject integrates biology, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences, and often touches on environmental science and technology. Typical topics include living organisms and ecosystems; matter, energy, and forces; chemical reactions; the Earth's structure, weather, climate, and space; and how science applies to everyday life and society.

Teaching emphasizes inquiry-based learning: planning and carrying out experiments, making observations, collecting and analysing data, modelling, and communicating results. Safety, ethics, and critical thinking are emphasized, along with collaboration and problem-solving skills. Assessment combines classroom work, projects, and examinations; it is designed to measure factual knowledge as well as the ability to reason scientifically and to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations.

In the Norwegian education system, naturfag is a core subject in primary and lower secondary education, often continuing with more advanced science courses in upper secondary programs. The curriculum stresses digital tools, fieldwork, and sustainability, reflecting contemporary scientific issues and societal relevance.

Historically, naturfag emerged from broader movements in science education that sought to provide students with a coherent understanding of the natural world and the methods of science. Today it is widely taught in many countries under various names and structures, sharing common aims of fostering scientific literacy and informed citizenship.