Project-based learning as a strategy to learn about electricity: A case study in a rural Colombian school

Abstract

There is a certain consensus about the need to promote different trainings that allow students to approach and solve problems that emerge from particular contexts, enhance competencies, expand scientific skills and encourage collaborative work. This work aims to respond to this concern and is part of a wider investigation, the aim of this working paper is to use Project-Based Learning (PjBL) as a pedagogical strategy to encourage students to understand electricity and electrical circuits using alternative energy sources to operate machines -as electricity generators- that will improve the quality of life of citizens. The results presented correspond to the experience developed with middle school students executing the project “Pajarito sale a la luz”, where the potential of the PjBL in the interest towards science and its learning has been evaluated. The evolution of the students' conceptual understanding is analyzed based on the project activities and the answers to the questionnaires at the beginning and end of the experience. The development of different skills, as well as collaboration and argumentation, have been considered indicators of learning evidences.