Abstract:

This study examines the capacity of a university-led scientific initiative to influence the academic projection of secondary school students. The main objective was to assess the impact of a university scientific laboratory session on the academic choices of secondary education students in Vega Baja del Segura, Alicante. For this purpose, secondary students from two local educational centres were invited to undertake a scientific laboratory session at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH). In these educational centres, General Certificate of Education and Vocational Education and Training in the health and food sectors are taught. The practice session took place in the Animal Production Area of the Department of Agro-Food Technology at UMH and was conducted by the department's teaching and research staff. Following the session, students were asked to voluntarily complete an anonymous questionnaire regarding their academic concerns prior to the activity, their level of interest and satisfaction with the session, and whether this exposure to a university scientific field prompted them to reconsider their academic orientation. A total of 78 students completed the questionnaire. 94.9% of the students considered the realisation of the practice as interesting or very interesting, and 96.2% indicated that it was necessary to carry out more activities of this type.The majority (74.3%) valued as good or very good the collaboration between the secondary school and the university in the orientation of students for the choice of a university degree. Indeed, 97.1% of the student body would recommend this practice to their peers to assist in choosing a university degree. Furthermore, the impact of this activity on the intention to pursue university-level studies can be considered relevant, given that the intention to study increased by 22.8% following the activity. It can be concluded that the scientific intervention was very well received by the students and had a relevant impact on their educational guidance.

Acknowledgements:
This study has been funded by the CUENTA programme of the Vice-Rectorate for Students and Communication of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, which has contributed to this project.

Keywords:

Academic guidance, Laboratory practice, Scientific vocation.