Pertinence of Natural Science and Environmental Secondary Education in Rural Agricultural Communities

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In response to the poverty trap that arises from the low relevance of the educational curriculum, which is expected to be further amplified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of the proposed project is to develop and test a model for pertinent natural science and environmental secondary education in rural agricultural areas. which can be delivered through a distance and face-to-face education. The specific objectives are to: (i) develop a contextualized model for teaching and learning agricultural, biological and environmental sciences at secondary schools in areas where agriculture is an important source of livelihood; and (ii) rigorously pilot the model in Costa Rica. The pilot will be implemented in the provinces of Limon and Puntarenas, which have Costa Rica's highest levels of poverty (ENAHO 2017), and the highest level of employment in the agricultural sector (24.3 and 38.1%, respectively). Limon has the country's highest youth unemployment rate (8.7%) (Population Census, 2011).