Evaluación del cambio de conocimiento y percepción hacia la tenencia responsable de mascotas de estudiantes de quinto y sexto básico, Talcahuano, Región del Bio Bío.
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Date
2025
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Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
La educación ambiental en Chile constituye una herramienta esencial para promover conciencia y responsabilidad frente a los problemas ecológicos, entre ellos la propagación de especies invasoras asociada a la tenencia irresponsable de mascotas exóticas. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los cambios en el conocimiento y percepción de estudiantes de quinto y sexto básico del Colegio Etchegoyen, Talcahuano, respecto a la tenencia responsable de mascotas. El estudio, realizado el año 2023 en el marco del proyecto Fondo de Protección Ambiental “Tortugas de Orejas Rojas en Brisa del Sol”, incluyó la aplicación de encuestas a 88 estudiantes antes y después de dos talleres de educación ambiental. Los resultados evidenciaron mejoras en la identificación de acciones de tenencia responsable, así como en la definición de especies invasoras, donde las respuestas correctas aumentaron de 40% a 58% en Quinto y de 45% a 55% en Sexto básico. Asimismo, se observó un mayor reconocimiento de la biodiversidad local, destacando aves como el siete colores (Tachuris rubrigastra), garzas y taguas. No obstante, persistieron dificultades conceptuales, como la confusión en torno a la definición de ecosistema, dado que al menos el 50% de los estudiantes lo asoció únicamente a áreas verdes con césped, lo que sugiere una percepción del entorno natural vinculada a espacios verdes urbanos. Se concluye que, aunque la educación ambiental se encuentra incorporada en el currículum nacional de forma transversal, requiere un tratamiento más explícito y sistemático. Se sugiere fortalecer contenidos sobre biodiversidad y tenencia responsable de mascotas en Ciencias Naturales, mediante metodologías prácticas y proyectos vinculados al entorno local, que potencien aprendizajes significativos en los estudiantes.
Environmental education in Chile plays a fundamental role in promoting awareness and responsibility towards ecological challenges, including the spread of invasive species associated with irresponsible exotic pet ownership. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the knowledge and perceptions of fifth- and sixth-grade students from Colegio Etchegoyen in Talcahuano regarding responsible pet ownership. Conducted in 2023 as part of the Environmental Protection Fund project “Red-Eared Slider Turtles in Brisa del Sol,” the research involved surveys administered to 88 students before and after two environmental education workshops. The results showed an improvement in students’ ability to identify responsible ownership practices and define invasive species, with correct responses increasing from 40% to 58% in fifth grade and from 45% to 55% in sixth grade. Students also demonstrated greater recognition of local biodiversity, mentioning bird species such as the many-colored rush tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra), herons, and coots. However, conceptual difficulties persisted, particularly in defining the concept of an ecosystem, as more than 50% of students associated it exclusively with grassy urban areas. These findings suggest that students’ perception of the natural environment remains largely limited to green urban spaces. The study concludes that, although environmental education is integrated transversally into Chile’s national curriculum, it requires a more explicit and systematic approach. Strengthening content related to biodiversity and responsible pet ownership within Natural Sciences—through practical, locally oriented projects—could promote more meaningful learning experiences and enhance students’ environmental knowledge.
Environmental education in Chile plays a fundamental role in promoting awareness and responsibility towards ecological challenges, including the spread of invasive species associated with irresponsible exotic pet ownership. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the knowledge and perceptions of fifth- and sixth-grade students from Colegio Etchegoyen in Talcahuano regarding responsible pet ownership. Conducted in 2023 as part of the Environmental Protection Fund project “Red-Eared Slider Turtles in Brisa del Sol,” the research involved surveys administered to 88 students before and after two environmental education workshops. The results showed an improvement in students’ ability to identify responsible ownership practices and define invasive species, with correct responses increasing from 40% to 58% in fifth grade and from 45% to 55% in sixth grade. Students also demonstrated greater recognition of local biodiversity, mentioning bird species such as the many-colored rush tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra), herons, and coots. However, conceptual difficulties persisted, particularly in defining the concept of an ecosystem, as more than 50% of students associated it exclusively with grassy urban areas. These findings suggest that students’ perception of the natural environment remains largely limited to green urban spaces. The study concludes that, although environmental education is integrated transversally into Chile’s national curriculum, it requires a more explicit and systematic approach. Strengthening content related to biodiversity and responsible pet ownership within Natural Sciences—through practical, locally oriented projects—could promote more meaningful learning experiences and enhance students’ environmental knowledge.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a en Conservación de Recursos Naturales.
Keywords
Mascotas, Educación ambiental, Organismos introducidos, Biodiversidad