Challenges and Possibilities of Science Education through Open Schooling

Abstract

This study analyses the challenges and possibilities identified in the implementation of an Open Schooling project, developed by the State University of Bahia in a public school in the Salvador Metropolitan Region over two years, with support from federal agencies. A qualitative action-research approach was adopted, with content analysis of participant observation records, focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews. The results indicate a high transformative potential of the proposal in expanding student engagement and the articulation between school, university, and community through socio-scientific issues and the critical use of ICT. However, it was evident that the sustainability of the actions depends on structured public policies, digital inclusion, continuous funding, and teacher training. It was also observed that Interinstitutional partnerships strengthened the sense of belonging and the legitimacy of the public school as a space for local scientific production, highlighting that technologies are effective when integrated with investigative, collaborative, and transdisciplinary methodologies.