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The aim of this article is to present an overview of the current state of the mathematical and scientific competences in Primary Education in Spain and how their development is assessed in STEAM experiences (with students of 6–12 years of age). To this end, a systematic review based on the PRISMA 2020 protocol was carried out in the Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Dialnet databases, analyzing all articles published from 1993 to 2022 relating to the subject. In total, 53 articles were selected, most published in the last five years and primarily in the Dialnet database. It was found that the majority of the targeted objectives in the experiences were related to STEAM competence, but only 14 evaluated aspects related to mathematical or scientific competence. The mathematical competence was evaluated by the measurement of geometry or number content and their corresponding operations and by how information data (statistics) are graphically represented. In a few cases, the evaluation is also related to computational thinking and orientation skills. In the case of scientific competence, its evaluation was mainly based on the assessment of the understanding of concepts, with those concepts being related to Physics in 80% of the cases. The only evaluated aspect of scientific competence other than concept understanding was hypothesis formulation, which was featured in two articles. These results highlight the need to systematically incorporate assessments that provide a clearer view of mathematical or scientific competence development in implementing STEAM experiences in primary education.

IntroductionVaccines are the basis of health of our communities since they prevent severe infectious diseases. However vaccination rates continue to decrease due to the spread of misinformation about their side effects, which enhances vaccine hesitancy and puts at risk public health. Introducing vaccines from the One Health approach can help to develop an integral understanding of their role and to apply critical ignorance as part of criticality to avoid vaccine hesitancy and raise trust in science. This paper presents a design on vaccination for secondary-education teacher training developed toward this goal.MethodsThe design presented in this paper draws from previous studies on critical thinking, on vaccine rejection, and the One Health approach on other health issues in Secondary Education. The focus of this design is engaging secondary-education pre-service teachers in the practice of critical ignorance and criticality to assess diverse pieces of information on vaccination from the One Health approach.ResultsThis study discusses the design principles and the activities of an original design that aims to provide Secondary Education teachers with some tools to introduce critical ignorance and criticality for addressing misinformation on vaccines by using the One Health approach.DiscussionIf secondary science teachers are going to successfully confront misinformation on vaccination in their science instruction, we need to develop and test designs and approaches that prepare them for this purpose. Critical ignorance plays a central role in managing misinformation; thus, such instruction should engage future teachers in critical evaluation of information on vaccination, as well as in the application of the One Health approach to take responsible actions.

La resistencia a antibióticos (RA) es un problema que puede abordarse desde el enfoque One Health (OH). Sin embargo, su enseñanza en el aula de ciencias no ha sido todavía incorporada desde este enfoque integral. Este trabajo investiga cuál es la noción de RA que presenta el profesorado en formación de dos universidades de España y en qué medida incorporan la idea de contagio bajo un enfoque OH. Se analizan las respuestas individuales a un cuestionario sobre RA, siendo codificadas de acuerdo al agente y mecanismo de resistencia señalado, a las referencias que hacen a la idea de contagio, así como a las interacciones entre la salud humana, ambiental y animal que explican este problema. Los resultados muestran que los participantes tienen una noción de RA alejada de la científica y de una visión sistémica de acuerdo con el enfoque OH. Se derivan implicaciones para mejorar su adecuada comprensión y enseñanza en el aula.

La enseñanza de las ciencias debe facilitar la diferenciación entre información científica y pseudocientífica. Este trabajo recoge los argumentos del profesorado en formación (PF) para dar o no credibilidad a la técnica zahorí (o radiestesia) como estrategia para encontrar agua subterránea. Los participantes previamente habían participado en una secuencia de modelización sobre el funcionamiento de un acuífero kárstico. Se analizaron respuestas escritas individualmente. La mitad del PF creyó en la técnica, pero pocos argumentos incluyeron justificaciones o refutaciones. Varios PF aplicaron el modelo acuífero al explicar el hallazgo de agua, pero recurrieron al electromagnetismo en su lugar para justificar su creencia. Se hallaron dificultades en el PF para argumentar y para transferir el conocimiento construido, fundamentalmente por no identificar de manera adecuada el modelo implicado en el contexto planteado, lo que contribuyó a su credulidad. Se discuten las implicaciones educativas.

Driven by current educational policies and the community of science education researchers, inquiry-based science education (IBSE) poses a challenge for both in-service and pre-service teachers (PSTs). This research aims to explore, describe, and characterize PSTs’ perceptions of their preparedness to implement IBSE in primary school classrooms. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 102 PSTs in two moments of their IBSE training at a university during their Primary Education degree. According to the findings, almost all PSTs demonstrated a strong willingness to implement IBSE in their future classrooms. However, these PSTs perceive their preparedness differently: some PSTs feel very prepared; some others only feel prepared if certain obstacles do not exist; there are PSTs who believe they lack knowledge on IBSE; some PSTs need more confidence; and some PSTs need all of the above (the least prepared). Additionally, it was found that some PSTs exhibit overconfidence. In conclusion, the data reveal diversity in preparedness for IBSE among PSTs, underscoring the importance of conducting this type of exploration to develop strategies that address the unique strengths and limitations of each PST.

Para desarrollar la competencia científica, el alumnado tiene que apropiarse de la cultura científica, a través de las prácticas científicas. En la enseñanza de la geología el campo es también un contexto para la enculturación. Se ha estudiado muy poco la interrelación entre prácticas y trabajo de campo. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de los artículos que incluyen salida de campo, publicados en diez revistas de enseñanza de las ciencias los últimos diez años. Se identificó la mención a operaciones relacionadas con las prácticas científicas en 20 artículos. La argumentación fue identificada en todos los grupos de edad, la indagación prácticamente solo en el ámbito universitario y la modelización apenas tuvo presencia. Se concluye que la salida jugó un papel en el desarrollo de las prácticas más allá de la recogida de datos. Se detectó la ausencia de operaciones fundamentales en las prácticas, por lo que se plantean algunas implicaciones educativas ilustradas con buenas prácticas identificadas.

The science education curriculum has become increasingly focused on the study of complex systems and on the development of agency so that students make decisions on relevant issues. The current pandemic has underlined the need to look at health from a systemic “One Health” approach, but little is known about the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and actions necessary for individuals to successfully contribute to One Health. This study seeks to contribute to this knowledge, and explores preservice elementary teachers’ agency and systems thinking competencies to propose actions for preventing future pandemics from the One Health approach. The participants were 47 preservice elementary teachers working on a set of activities about the COVID-19 pandemic, in which they were asked about ways to prevent future pandemics. Content analysis of individual written responses was applied for addressing the level of systems thinking and the sense of personal and collective responsibility toward the action proposed. Results show that the preservice teachers initially referred mainly to actions in the human health dimension, and that the systems thinking showed a higher level when they made the activity in groups after reading information. Collectively proposed actions showed a lack of agency or individual responsibility compared to individually proposed ones. The implications of the results for science teaching are discussed.

The acting of the tutor in tutoring sessions in groups during Problem Based Learning has been scarcely studied. In this study the interventions of three tutors and their 43 students in a first PBL tutoring session are analysed. The tutors had taken some recommendations for acting during the session, based on the results of previous research. Those guidelines included contextualizing the task, dynamizing the group, fostering learning and asking for evidence to students. The sessions have been audiotaped and videotaped and afterwards transcribed. The interventions have been categorized, making a content analysis. The categories are theoretically grounded. It is studied how three tutors act, how they implement previously recommended guidelines and which is the effectiveness in students´ participation, generation and elaboration of ideas. The results show that tutors increase the interventions of the recommended types. The participation of the students is high, they pose ideas related to the learning-outcomes, and they share and elaborate ideas. It is concluded that the recommended guidelines have been effective for the first tutoring session of PBL. It is discussed that the role of the reflection of the tutors about their own professional practice has been key for adopting or not effective guidelines.

Systems thinking (ST) is an essential skill for understanding complex issues, making predictions and informed decisions. This research explores how students applied ST in complex health contexts using the 'One Health' (OH) approach. OH highlights the interdependence relationship between animal, human and ecosystemic health (including plants). Eighteen upper secondary school students were involved in activities that aimed to foster their capacity to apply ST to explain the causes of the COVID-19 pandemic, to anticipate future pandemics and to propose actions for preventing them. Individual written tasks were examined using content analysis methods. Four dimensions of ST were considered, and levels were established based on the literature and in interaction with data. Most participants articulated various aspects of ST in their responses, but they did not do so consistently. Students had difficulties both in anticipating future pandemics and in proposing actions to prevent them. After the completion of the activities, most students showed an improved understanding of the OH notion. They identified the components, relationships and provided examples of causal interrelationships, such as those involved in zoonotic diseases. The findings point to the potential of the OH approach in Biology education, as it promotes students' understanding of complex health issues from a systemic view.

Health literacy should be developed from early ages, but students, including preservice teachers, hold misconceptions about micro-organisms. The objective of this study was to analyse the knowledge that a sample of 102 Early Childhood Preservice Teachers (PST) had about micro-organisms and about cystitis. The PSTs performed a series of activities that included an inquiry-based laboratory activity. Their knowledge about micro-organisms was assessed by pre- and post-questionnaires, and about cystitis, by analysing the responses to an open-ended pretest, the inquiry reports and the performance of the PSTs when changing nappies on dolls. Results show a better understanding about the micro-organisms at the end of the study. In the case of cystitis, in the pretest PSTs did not identify bacteria as agents, but they did after the inquiry activity, and they also mentioned the proliferation of bacteria. Nevertheless, only 32% of PSTs changed nappies coherently with the knowledge.

Esta investigación aborda la integración de las capacidades de argumentación y explicación de fenómenos científicos, en tomas de decisión sobre vacunación. Se ha diseñado un método de análisis adaptando herramientas de la literatura. Se han analizado las producciones escritas y discusiones de 72 estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria que han participado en las actividades diseñadas. Se observa que han desarrollado varios aspectos de la competencia argumentativa, y que quienes han expresado un modelo de sistema inmunológico de mayor complejidad argumentan mejor. Sin embargo, menos del 30% se han referido al modelo en sus argumentos, llegando a un 15% en la toma de decisión de repercusión colectiva. Se concluye que la integración entre las capacidades es mejorable y que implica la necesidad de analizar qué dificulta la utilización del conocimiento científico en las tomas de decisión.

En este trabajo se analiza la construcción del modelo de sistema inmunológico por parte de estudiantes y su transferencia a otros contextos, mediante diversas situaciones contextualizadas, que parten de una controversia sociocientífica sobre la vacunación. Se estudia cómo influye la ayuda del profesorado en la construcción de dicho modelo y el desarrollo de la competencia argumentativa en la toma de decisiones sobre aspectos de salud relacionados con el citado modelo. El estudio compara datos de las producciones escritas y las discusiones recogidas durante dos años en el Grado de Educación Primaria. Los resultados muestran mayor nivel del modelo construido y transferido el segundo año, que podría deberse a los cambios en las actividades y en la acción de las profesoras. La competencia argumentativa mejora en los dos cursos, hallando diferencias según sea la toma de decisión de ámbito personal o social.

Hoy en día, según distintos autores, hay dificultades para desarrollar la competencia científica en Educación Primaria. Para mejorar esta situación hay que dar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de sumergirse en la cultura científica y la oportunidad de desarrollar la capacidad de argumentar. Se ha diseñado una intervención basada en una cuestión sociocientífica relacionada con la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de los distintos remedios. 26 estudiantes de 3º curso de Educación Primaria han tomado parte. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes han construido argumentos justificados, desarrollando la competencia científica. Al mismo tiempo, se han dado cuenta de la relación entre la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de los remedios.

En aquest treball s'analitza la construcció del model de sistema immunològic inclòs en el model d'ésser viu. S'ha utilitzat una controvèrsia sociocientífica sobre la vacunació, sobre la qual 42 estudiants del Grau d'Educació Primària han hagut de buscar informació i utilitzar-la per prendre decisions, construir coneixement i transferir-ho. S'han analitzat les produccions escrites i les discussions. Els resultats mostren que la competència argumentativa millora, tant en nombre com en varietat de justificacions. S'observen indicis de construcció del model de sistema immunològic, ja que es fa referència a elements de la seva estructura, intercanvi de matèria i canvis produïts, especialment referent a les vacunes. No obstant això, tenen dificultats en la transferència de coneixement quan aquesta és llunyana.

The human nutrition model is relevant in Biology education. Researchers and policymakers propose the introduction of modelling practices in science education, including the representation of the model. Despite being scarce, previous studies have shown that the guideline given to students conditions their performance when representing their models. This study addresses how the context given to 79 preservice teachers (PSTs) in two cohorts at the end of a modelling sequence conditions the representations of the nutrition model constructed by them. The contexts were a child running and a lactose intolerant person. Written explanations and drawings of PSTs were analyzed according to the components-mechanisms-phenomena (CMP) framework. PSTs of both cohorts expressed a more developed nutrition model in a running context than in an intolerance context with respect to CMP aspects, which was shown by statistically significant differences. Therefore, the conclusion is that the context conditions the expression of the model. In this case, it was the context that appealed directly to the circulatory system and implied the use of energy, the one that led to a more complete representation of the human nutrition model.

Tomando como punto de partida un artículo de prensa en el que se trataba la inclusión de los productos homeopáticos en el listado de medicamentos, se investigaron las creencias y tipos de justificaciones de 42 estudiantes de 4º curso del Grado de Educación Primaria respecto a los mismos. Los resultados muestran que inicialmente una mayoría creía en la eficacia de la homeopatía y apoyaba su consideración como medicamento. Se diseñaron actividades para fomentar el uso de datos y el pensamiento crítico de los estudiantes. Al finalizar la secuencia, se observó que las posturas cambiaron en cierta medida y que se dieron justificaciones que hacían referencia a las pruebas científicas en mayor número. Sin embargo, el cambio no ha sido del grado esperable. Se reflexiona sobre las implicaciones educativas, tales como el tratamiento de pseudociencias y el fomento de capacitación científica.

The teacher degrees at the Teaching College of Bilbao from Basque Country University UPV/EHU have a four-monthly modular structure. In each module students have to perform an interdisciplinary task that includes all subjects of the module. This paper presents the proposal that a team of six teachers from different fields of knowledge has designed to address the tutoring of that task. The tutoring has been carried out with students that are studying the second module of the Primary Education Grade, which belongs to the first year of the degree. In this module the task consists in working in groups following the PBL methodology (Problem-Based Learning). The objectives were to redesign the initial scenario, design a plan of tutoring for students, and socialize results among other teachers of the module. The initial scenario has been written up taking into account the objectives and the activities of the Modular Interdisciplinary Task (TIM). The tutoring plan, organized in several sessions, includes the objectives to be achieved, tasks to be performed, the methodology -which is based on cooperative learning-, and the assessment. Besides, the results have been shared with other teachers of the module so that the results of this work have effect in the practice of all teachers. Finally, and in order to determine the satisfaction level of students about the changes proposed, a questionnaire has been designed, which has been answered by 61 students.

Los grados de formación de maestro y maestra en la E. U. Magisterio de Bilbao de la Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, tienen una estructura modular cuatrimestral. En cada uno de los módulos el alumnado debe realizar una tarea interdisciplinar en la que están implicadas todas las materias del mismo. En este trabajo se presenta la propuesta que ha diseñado un equipo de seis profesoras y profesores de diferentes áreas de conocimiento, para abordar la tutorización de dicha tarea con alumnado del módulo 2 del Grado de Magisterio de Educación Primaria incluido en el 1º curso. En este módulo la tarea consiste en un trabajo grupal siguiendo la metodología ABP (Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas). Los objetivos planteados eran rediseñar el escenario inicial, diseñar un plan de tutorización y socializar los resultados. El escenario inicial se ha redactado teniendo en cuenta los objetivos y las actividades propias de la tarea interdisciplinar de módulo (TIM). El plan de tutorización, organizado en varias sesiones, incluye los objetivos a lograr, las tareas a realizar, la metodología -basada en el aprendizaje cooperativo-, y la evaluación. Asimismo, los resultados obtenidos se socializaron con el resto del profesorado del módulo para que los frutos de esta reflexión tengan reflejo en la práctica docente de todo el profesorado. Por último, y con el fin de conocer el grado de satisfacción del alumnado ante los cambios propuestos, se ha confeccionado un cuestionario (que se presenta) cumplimentado por 61 estudiantes.

En este trabajo se analiza la construcción del modelo de sistema inmunológico incluido en el modelo de ser vivo. Se ha utilizado una controversia sociocientífica sobre la vacunación, sobre la que 42 estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria han tenido que buscar información y utilizarla para tomar decisiones, construir conocimiento y transferirlo. Se han analizado las producciones escritas y las discusiones. Los resultados muestran que la competencia argumentativa mejora, tanto en número como en variedad de justificaciones. Se observan indicios de construcción del modelo de sistema inmunológico, ya que se hace referencia a elementos de su estructura, intercambio de materia y cambios producidos, especialmente en lo referente a las vacunas. Sin embargo, tienen dificultades en la transferencia de conocimiento cuando esta es lejana.

The digestive system (DS) is a fundamental topic in biological science teaching. However, the literature indicates that students have difficulties in learning about it. In the present work, we focus on how early childhood Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) develop their understanding of the DS regarding the CMP (Components-Mechanisms-Phenomena) framework of systems thinking. A teaching sequence was designed, implemented and iteratively improved over the course of three years, and in Year 3 included the construction of a physical model and the design and performance of a role-play. Data collection was performed using individual questionnaires before and after participating in the practical activities. The physical models and the role-plays were also analysed. The results show that participation in the sequence improved the understanding of the DS in all dimensions of systems thinking, especially in Year 3. The construction of physical models mainly fostered learning Components and the role-play seemed to facilitate a deeper understanding of Mechanisms. It is concluded that the combined use of both modes of representation constitutes a valuable strategy for science education.

Background: Science education should encompass enculturation in science which implies performing scientific practices such as use of data and modelling, in authentic contexts like the field. Purpose: This work aims to determine how preservice elementary teachers (PETs) use data obtained in the field, and how these data contribute to the process of building a model of geological change. Sample: Forty-one Preservice Elementary Teachers (PETs) participated in the study. Design and methods: A mixed methods design was used. The data from the conversations of nine groups during the six sessions following a field trip were categorized by constant comparison according to how the data from the field were used. The cases of field data used for modelling were further categorised through the Modelling Model Diagram framework. The PETs´ perception was examined by means of an open-ended question. Results: PETs did use field trip as a learning resource and appealed to it without being explicitly required to. Seven groups used the data for the modelling process, mainly for creating and testing the model. Data were used in four of the groups as evidence for evaluating the validity of models. PETs perceived the field trip to be useful. Specifically, they acknowledged its usefulness whilst carrying out operations related to the creation of the model but they showed lack of awareness about the usefulness of performing other important operations. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the field trip may be a valuable resource for developing scientific practices such as the use of data and modelling in science education. The positive perception of the PETs about the usefulness of the field trip for the learning process may foster their involvement in the design and implementation of such field trips in the future.

Inquiry-based educational Araitz Uskola contexts including observation of the Moon have been found to facilitate students' understanding of the Sun-Earth-Moon system. However, the role that the collected data play in the knowledge construction process is unclear, as the process that students develop from the collected data has not previously been reported. Use of data is considered one of the three competencies of scientific literacy, and this research focuses on analysing how eighty four pre-service teachers perform it. A five-level scale has been elaborated. Twenty written group reports and 5 oral data discussion have been analysed. Improvement in the students' knowledge, especially in areas that had been reported to be problematic, is observed. Results show that the designed activities and group discussions help students take their data into consideration, establish comparisons and identify patterns. However, difficulties in identifying patterns and especially in explaining their causes arise and are discussed. The role of the teacher in the process of establishing the causes of the identified patterns stands out when oral discussions are analysed. Several interventions of the teacher are found to be the key for the students to be able to use the collected data to construct appropriate scientific knowledge.

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