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Exploring the Intersection of Paleontology and Sustainability: Enhancing Scientific Literacy in Spanish Secondary School Students

Author

Listed:
  • Alicia Giner-Baixauli

    (Department of Experimental and Social Sciences Education, University of Valencia, Avenida Tarongers 4, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Hugo Corbí

    (Department of Earth Sciences and the Environment, University of Alicante, Apdo. Correos 99, 03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain)

  • Olga Mayoral

    (Department of Experimental and Social Sciences Education, University of Valencia, Avenida Tarongers 4, 46022 Valencia, Spain
    Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia, University of Valencia, C/Quart, 80, 46008 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

This study aims to assess the knowledge of geology and sustainability among 14- and 15-year-old secondary school students in Spain and to evaluate the effectiveness of active experiential methodologies in improving academic performance in these subjects. Involving 132 students, we used pre-test and post-test questionnaires for data collection, with both control and experimental groups. Our findings showed that integrating Earth history, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and public speaking enhances scientific literacy by fostering problem-solving and interdisciplinary understanding. The study highlights the importance of integrating scientific methods, revealing a preference for experimental approaches over traditional methods among students; however, when the results are analyzed independently by topic, similar results are obtained with active and traditional teaching methodologies. Therefore, a holistic and flexible approach not only meets the requirements of modern curricula but also helps students address complex global challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia Giner-Baixauli & Hugo Corbí & Olga Mayoral, 2024. "Exploring the Intersection of Paleontology and Sustainability: Enhancing Scientific Literacy in Spanish Secondary School Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5890-:d:1432619
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pilar Aznar & María Calero & María Pilar Martínez-Agut & Olga Mayoral & Àngels Ull & Victoria Vázquez-Verdera & Amparo Vilches, 2018. "Training Secondary Education Teachers through the Prism of Sustainability: The Case of the Universitat de València," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-14, November.
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