ON HOW SOUTHERN COLOMBIAN CHILDREN PERCIEVED THE SOIL

Abstract

The soils support intense degradation processes with negative repercussions on society. Thus, education with children is an alternative so that in the future the soil is known, valued and preserved. This research sought to identify the knowledge that children have about the soil, in order to make this population literatura in the knowledge of soil and raise awareness about the care and protection of the soil. The work was carried out with boys and girls from fourth and fifth grade of two educational institutions in the municipality of Pasto, southern Colombia, one urban and one rural. The investigation took four moments. First, prior assessment of student knowledge, asking two questions: What is soil? And what is the soil for? Second, explanation about the soil, to illustrate the students on this subject. Third, realization of the workshop “Recognizing the soils of my region” biusing simple procedures, made known the origin of the soil and its properties. Fourth, knowledge assessment based on previous activities by asking the same initial questions. The information evaluation was done through a multiple correspondence analysis. The children demonstrated previous knowledge regarding the soil and its usefulness. Four key factors were identified and it was observed that induction - conference and workshop - contributed to the children's better understanding of the soil, who consider it as a source of nutrients, support, life and habitat. There is a need to literate children in southern Colombia on soil.