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Enhancing Science and Engineering Education in Costa Rica: Strategies and Initiatives

This document discusses various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of science and engineering education in Costa Rica. Key strategies include integrating project-based learning, enhancing teacher training, increasing student participation, and standardizing judging processes at science fairs. The collaborative efforts of national advisors, educators, and organizations like Intel and LANOTEC pave the way for a more robust science and technology curriculum in the country. These improvements are crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring that students are well-prepared for higher education and future careers in STEM fields.

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Enhancing Science and Engineering Education in Costa Rica: Strategies and Initiatives

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  1. Intel Educator Academy 2009Reno, Nevada Costa Rica

  2. Costa Rican Team • Jose Roberto Vega, PhD. • LANOTEC (National Nanotechnology Lab) • NSF and National Engineering Fair. SRC chairperson • Alicia Fonseca • National Advisor for Technical Education, Ministry of Education • Commission member of the National Engineering Fair • Emilie Baltodano Alpízar • Director of the Office to Promote Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology • Mary Helen Bialas • Education Manager, Intel Costa Rica Shoptalk speaker: • Nathalie Valencia • Intel Students as Scientists(Teacher training program) Program Coordinator • National Engineering Fair. Academic Director.

  3. Costa Rica Country: Population: 4,3 million Territory: 51100 km2 Educational Environment: • Education System • Organization: 23 Ministry of Education Regional Offices

  4. Educational Environment • One National Curriculum-- centralized & test driven. • Math & Science introduced from K-6 by regular teacher, general science teachers in 7-9th grades, and specialized science teachers in high school. • After 9th grade, students choose academic HS for 10-11th grades, or technical HS for 10-12th grades. • National tests are required during the final year for graduation. • Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and • Language – either French or English • University entrance requirements = High School National test scores + grades average from 10-11 + entrance exam.

  5. Status of Science and Engineering Fairs

  6. National Science & Technology Fair Process: 2008 National Engineering Fair : 2008

  7. Science Fairs: Three biggest obstacles & proposed solutions • Improve quality of SF projects. • Integrate project based learning as a teaching methodology • Provide training for Regional SRC to elevate standards • Offer new training courses to teachers. • Establish mentorship program for students with scientists and professionals. • Increase participation of engineering projects • Obtain Gov funding for the National Engineering Fair thru a decree. • Coordinate teacher training program with the Ministry of Education to reach rural schools. • Judging process needs to be improved in order to standardize quality of judging in institutional, regional and national fairs. • Create a guideline for the judge profile to be distributed to all institutional fairs nationwide. • Modify fair manual and expand training initiatives. • Create SW program to help standardize process.

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