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The Pedagogy of Science and Environment: Experimental Evidence from Peru

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  • Beuermann, Diether
  • Näslund-Hadley, Emma
  • Ruprah, Inder J.
  • Thompson, Jennelle

Abstract

In today's knowledge-based societies, understanding basic scientific concepts and the capacity to structure and solve scientific questions is more critical than ever. Accordingly, in this paper we test an innovative methodology for teaching science and environment in public primary schools where traditional (teacher centred) teaching was replaced with student centred activities using LEGO kits. We document positive and significant improvements of 0.18 standard deviations in standardised test scores. Such positive results are mainly concentrated within boys that were located above the median of baseline academic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Beuermann, Diether & Näslund-Hadley, Emma & Ruprah, Inder J. & Thompson, Jennelle, 2012. "The Pedagogy of Science and Environment: Experimental Evidence from Peru," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 4087, Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:4087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Blimpo, Moussa P. & Pugatch, Todd, 2021. "Entrepreneurship education and teacher training in Rwanda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Paul Rodríguez-Lesmes & José D. Trujillo & Daniel Valderrama, 2015. "Are Public Libraries Improving Quality of Education? When the Provision of Public Goods is not Enough," Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad, Universidad de los Andes,Facultad de Economía, CEDE, December.
    3. Alejandro J. Ganimian & Richard J. Murnane, 2014. "Improving Educational Outcomes in Developing Countries: Lessons from Rigorous Impact Evaluations," NBER Working Papers 20284, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Francisco Gallego & Emma Näslund-Hadley & Mariana Alfonso, 2017. "Tailoring Instruction to Improve Mathematics Skills in Preschools: A Randomized Evaluation," Documentos de Trabajo 487, Instituto de Economia. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile..
    5. Juan Saavedra & Emma Näslund-Hadley & Mariana Alfonso, 2017. "Targeted Remedial Education: Experimental Evidence from Peru," NBER Working Papers 23050, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Peru; Education; Teaching; Impact Evaluation; Enseñanza; Educación; Evaluación de Impacto; Pedagogía; Pedagogy; Ciencias; Medio Ambiente; Science; Environment; Primary Education; Educación Primaria; OVE Working Papers; Documentos de Trabajo OVE; Efectividad en el Desarrollo; Development Effectiveness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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