Work

STEAM Education Using Natural Resources in Rural Areas: Case Study of a Grouped Rural School in Avila, Spain

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rural Spain has strengths but also presents notable problems. Education is a necessary way to improve rural communities. A better educated population will ensure they do not disappear and enhance their quality of life. This article explores the educational potential of rural Spain by focusing on a practical case study at the Grouped Rural School (CRA) Las Cogotas in Ávila, Castilla and León. It highlights the strengths and challenges of rural areas, including depopulation, aging, and lack of services, and emphasizes the importance of education in addressing these issues. The study implements STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education through outdoor activities, utilizing local rural and natural resources to enhance students’ learning experiences and foster environmental stewardship. The methodology includes structured interviews and a Likert scale survey analyzed with the ATLAS.ti tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities. The results indicate that students developed a stronger connection to their environment and showed increased interest in STEAM subjects. The findings underscore the value of integrating rural resources into formal education to improve the quality of life and sustainability of rural communities. The article aims to highlight the educational resources that rural areas offer to develop STEAM education.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17062736

Authors: Patricia-Teresa Espinosa-Gutiérrez, Elisa Gavari-Starkie, Cristina Lucini-Baquero, Josep Pastrana-Huguet

Institutions: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Catholic University of Ávila

Language: English

Topic: Education in Rural Contexts

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896