Construction of the Cognitive Dimension of the Scientific Literacy in the Students through the Costa Rican Biological Sciences Olympics

This research recognizes the cognitive contributions to the students participating in the Third Costa Rican Biological Sciences Olympics that will define the advancement and strengthening in the construction of its conceptual dimension in the scientific literacy.  This paper is based, mainly, on qualitative approach techniques (ethnographic design:  case study); however, some data are interpreted through quantitative methodologies (descriptive design with an explanatory and exploratory touch) for the analysis of a sample of 54 high school students, finalists in the category A of the Olympics, through the use of tools such as a documentary study and a survey, in July 2009.  The information generated was analyzed using elements of inferential and descriptive statistics, figures and histograms.  It was proved that there is a better cognitive management in the topics assessed, an increase in the students’ academic performance as the tests are applied, a commitment for the academic update supported by the development of several tasks for previous preparation, curriculum contributions unprecedented based on our sample, a consent to optimize student’s knowledge about Biology, which will allow the application of scientific notions to diversify and renew the knowledge, according to what is established in the principles of scientific literacy.

LA SELECCIÓN DE LOS BENEFICIARIOS PARA LOS PROGRAMAS CONTRA LA POBREZA: la experiencia del IMAS

Resumen Los esfuerzos por erradicar la pobreza en el país han llevado a la creación de un amplio andamiaje institucional que ha requerido del desarrollo de sistemas de selección de la población beneficiaria con el fin de canalizar los recursos de manera más eficiente y eficaz. Dentro de estos esfuerzos, el IMAS es el que más ha avanzado y en este artículo se busca presentar y evaluar el sistema desarrollado, conocido como SIPO. Para ello se enmarca conceptualmente el enfoque en las políticas sociales selectivas, se analiza el sistema SIPO y se confronta con una base externa, la encuesta de ingresos y gastos, con el fin de determinar tanto su cobertura específica como su capacidad de enfoque. Se obtiene que el instrumento muestra una amplia capacidad potencial de enfoque, pero falla en alcanzar esa cobertura, que permitiría la inclusión de una parte significativa de la población pobre. Se concluye con algunas recomendaciones sobre posibles acciones a tomar para consolidar el sistema.   Abstract Efforts to eradicate poverty in the country have led to the creation of a broad institutional framework that has required the development of systems for selecting the target population in order to channel resources more efficiently and effectively. Within these efforts, the IMAS is the most advanced and this article seeks to present and evaluate the system developed, known as SIPO. The conceptual approach is based upon targeted social policies, the system SIPO is examined and confronted with an external basis, the income and expenditure survey, in order to determine its specific coverage as its focus ability. It turns out that the instrument has a wide potential in its focus ability, but fails to achieve a coverage broad enough to include a significant proportion of the poor population. It concludes with some recommendations on possible actions to be taken to strengthen the system.