Teaching scientific competence and the scientific method in social and natural sciences education: a project with a transdisciplinary approach

INTRODUCTION. This paper reflects on the importance of employing a transdisciplinary approach in the teaching of the scientific method in natural and social sciences education. METHOD. In response to different institutional diagnoses of young Spanish people’s scientific competence, the researchers developed a project to help students in secondary and upper secondary education to learn the scientific method through the subject of gastronomy. RESULTS. The researchers attempted to meet the needs identified in the diagnoses by making the scientific method the key axis in developing students’ scientific thinking. The project also explored the didactic potential of the subject of food within this framework in two specific strands: one in the study of natural sciences and the other in social sciences. DISCUSSION. The paper concludes by reiterating the need for educators to take a comprehensive and transdisciplinary approach to the teaching of social and natural sciences that is relevant to the everyday realities of the learners.