JIC: Scientific Initiation Day to Promote University Research From Early Stages

Abstract

To build “research culture” from early phases in student training, the Universidad Tecnologica de Panama implemented the Scientific Initiation Day (JIC). This problem-based learning model consists of presenting research projects as complementary activities to those developed in classrooms, within the scope of a particular subject. At the beginning of the academic period, questions - problems are formulated – and through the use of the scientific method, the teams, of up to 4 students, try to find a solution to the problem posed; being that the key to success lies in the professor, who serves as a research advisor. At the end, the projects are presented to a panel of external judges and are evaluated according to the written scientific article, the oral presentation and the poster delivered. The best evaluated projects participate in the National JIC that includes all the accredited universities in Panama, who have also adopted this educational model.