Developing students' scientific competencies using the school's environmental context in rural and semi-rural settings

Abstract

The study implemented a didactic proposal to develop Scientific Competencies in secondary students from rural and semi-rural contexts by leveraging the school's environmental surroundings. Using an instrumental case study methodology, progression hypotheses were established, revealing a sufficient correlation (0.32) in scientific competency development between two targeted students, as determined by Kendall's Tau-B. The research focused on two students deemed suitable by their teacher, with evidence analyzed to create a performance rubric that assessed competency development. The findings indicated that the teacher's ecology teaching model aligned with a level 2 progression based on specialized literature, leading to specific didactic recommendations. The study concluded that effectively incorporating constructs for developing scientific competencies requires teachers to adopt critical perspectives on the inconsistencies in the Colombian educational system, understand scientific competencies in an international context, and engage as reflective researchers. This approach is essential for fostering scientific competency development in the classroom.