Environmental training of agricultural workers: a methodological proposal for its development from chemistry

Abstract

Introduction: Soil degradation, pollution, and the effects of climate change are environmental problems that impact the development of agricultural production. Therefore, agricultural workers must acquire chemical knowledge in their training to help reduce these problems. Objective: To show proposal of methodological alternative to strengthen the agricultural worker's environmental formation, from the bond among the chemical contents, the agricultural sciences, and the subjects of the specialty. Materials and Methods: Theoretical methods, analysis-synthesis, induction-deduction, a systems approach, and empirical methods, including a pedagogical test, a student survey, interviews with teachers and the Natural Sciences coordinator, and a document review, were used for this research. In addition, percentage analysis, data triangulation, and statistical methods, as part of the methodology, allowed for the diagnosis of the environmental literacy level of a sample of skilled labor students specializing in agriculture from the "Agustín Cebreco Sánchez" Joint Center, located in The Copper. Discussion: The analysis of the results of the initial diagnosis and the partial implementation of the proposal from the Fundamentals of Agricultural Production course demonstrate the acceptance and need for its implementation to strengthen the environmental training of agricultural workers. Conclusions: The partial application of the methodological proposal favors the preparation of teachers in environmental training and the development of professional modes of action in students regarding the care and protection of the environment.