Environmental health from university extension to promote environmental awareness in a special primary school

Authors

  • Suleika Villavicencio Gallego Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0165-6904
  • María de las Nieves Rodríguez Cárdenas Villa Clara Provincial Directorate of Education
  • María Eugenia Gallego Perez Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences.
  • Inés Lilian Rabelo Mirabal Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences.
  • Tania Hernández Nodarse Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas, Villa Clara.
  • Alain Sebastián Martínez Laguardia Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas.

Keywords:

environmental management, environmental quality, learning, students, education, medical

Abstract

Background: the global environmental crisis characterized by climate change and ecosystem degradation demands urgent responses from all spheres of society. In this context, Cuban universities assume a leading role by transferring knowledge and promoting sustainable practices in the educational community through their university extension work.
Objective: to propose pedagogical actions that strengthen the environmental health of primary school children through university extension.
Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at the "Fructuoso Rodríguez" Special Primary School during the 2022-2023 academic year. Theoretical methods were used: historical-logical, analysis-synthesis, and induction-deduction; empirical methods: documentary analysis of the curriculum and a student questionnaire; and statistical-mathematical methods. Teachers acted as experts to validate the proposals.
Results: students demonstrated a high level of environmental awareness overall, although deficiencies in waste management were identified. Based on the diagnosis, university extension pedagogical actions were proposed that link medical sciences with environmental education in special primary schools. These actions promote environmental awareness in the school setting, extending to home. These include the creation of interest groups, nature walks, recycling, and energy-saving campaigns, among others, with the participation of university students.
Conclusions: levels of environmental awareness among third-grade students at the "Fructuoso Rodríguez" Special Primary School were determined, and a proposal was made for pedagogical actions involving the participation of university students to promote environmental awareness among students and schools.

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Author Biographies

Suleika Villavicencio Gallego, Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences.

BS. MS. Assistant Professor. Research Associate. Faculty of Medicine. Department of Defense Preparation.

María de las Nieves Rodríguez Cárdenas, Villa Clara Provincial Directorate of Education

BS. MS. Teacher. Fructuoso Rodríguez Special Primary School. Santa Clara, Villa Clara.

María Eugenia Gallego Perez, Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences.

BS. MS. Assistant Professor. Faculty of Medicine. Department of Defense Preparation.

Inés Lilian Rabelo Mirabal, Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences.

BS. MS. Faculty of Medicine. Department of Defense Preparation. Villa Clara.

Tania Hernández Nodarse, Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas, Villa Clara.

BS. PhD. Full Professor. Faculty of Early Childhood Education, Villa Clara.

Alain Sebastián Martínez Laguardia, Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas.

PhD in Science. Full Professor. Faculty of Electrical Engineering. Villa Clara.

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Published

2025-06-15

How to Cite

1.
Villavicencio Gallego S, Rodríguez Cárdenas M de las N, Gallego Perez ME, Rabelo Mirabal IL, Hernández Nodarse T, Martínez Laguardia AS. Environmental health from university extension to promote environmental awareness in a special primary school. EDUMEC [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 15 [cited 2025 Jul. 9];17(1):e3087. Available from: https://revedumecentro.sld.cu/index.php/edumc/article/view/e3087

Issue

Section

ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL