Education and citizenship

Abstract

In the so-called Information Society, knowledge is a powerful tool for real social inclusion. Inclusion through knowledge is a citizen attitude, as it changes students’ perceptions, allowing critical thinking, stimulating the ability to question the world and encouraging to change reality as active citizens. Popularization of science is a must and a challenge. In a globalized world where the Internet seems to be the largest vehicle for information, offering children and young people the illusion of unlimited knowledge, the traditional academic practices do not seem to correspond to the student's desire of learning. Under the light of psycho-pedagogical perspective, we can discuss different possibilities to communicate science in the academic context, at different ages, from pre-school to university. This article brings together the experience of six educational professionals who use the psycho-pedagogical know-how to promote a meaningful and interesting learning. Psycho-pedagogical practices consider the singularity of each group, students protagonists in learning process, stimulating reconstructive questions, re-signifying previous knowledge, making knowledge meaningful and relevant, thus articulating student´s desire to the scientific discourse.