Scientific competences in teaching and learning through research. A case study about the corrosion of metals in secondary education

Abstract

An alternative approach to the development of the scientific competence in a teaching and learning by research in secondary education from a contextualized situation is presented in this pa¬per. According to the approach, the scientific competence has seven dimensions: proposal of research; information management; planning and research design; collection and processing of data; data analy¬sis and drawing conclusions; communication of results; and critical attitude/thinking and ability to work as a part of a team. Some aspects as information management, communication of results, and critical attitude/thinking and ability to work as a part of a team, that are often not sufficiently con¬sidered in the teaching of science are emphasised in this proposal. The approach is illustrated with examples in a case study with compulsory secondary students. Finally, some considerations about the importance of the approach and the need of a teacher training in school research works are made.