Innovación educativa sustentada en el aprendizaje experimental para fortalecer el pensamiento crítico en contextos formativos

Education aimed at developing critical thinking is of paramount importance, as it enables people to solve problems, draw inferences, and make decisions when faced with problems, facts, or situations in their environment. This study analyzed the contribution of experimental activities in biology to the development of students who are committed and capable of critical thinking. A sequential mixed-methods study was conducted using qualitative techniques, such as applied observation for the bibliographic analysis of documents related to the topic, and quantitative techniques, such as pre- and post-tests, as well as surveys, during the course of the experimental activities. The results confirm that the application of laboratory practices, classroom experiments, demonstration experiments, and experimental problems—properly planned, designed, and contextualized—effectively consolidate prior theoretical knowledge; therefore, this approach can be considered a strategy that fosters the development of critical thinking in students.