Proposal to study agroecology with students of second cycle of the educational circuit N°4 of the canton of Alvarado in Cartago

Abstract

The present research was build given the imminent necessity of including agroecology in the educational curricula from a dynamic and integrative approach, in a context where agriculture based on the intensive use of agrochemicals is the main productive and economic activity at Alvarado municipality. Methodologically, the research was qualitative-descriptive: three schools were chosen to represent the education circuit Number 4, and a group of students and teachers of the higher (second) cycle participated. Bibliographic research, observations, individual interviews and focal groups with teachers and students were used as tools for collecting the information. Moreover, a teaching experience based in alternative methods was used to study the local agri-food systems. The results show that currently there is no an specific and sufficient training oriented to the knowledge of local agri-food systems. Thus, it is important to create spaces for the action, reflection, and sensitization towards agroecology, for which teaching-learning methods and technics are determinant. The final product is an educational guide on agroecology for teachers, to be used in Science, Social Study and Civics.