Taller remoto de optimización durante la COVID: aprendizajes percibidos por las y los adolescentes chilenos

This study analysed the perception of adolescents between 13 and 19 years old about their learning after participating in an online workshop on non-formal education in applied mathematics, called “Optimization in the design of a diary”. The activity was implemented in Chile in October and November 2020 by a scientific outreach program that is part of an engineering research center. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop had to be adapted to a virtual version. Through a mixed-approach research, 102 students were surveyed and a focus group with ten participants was conducted. The results show that, based on experience, adolescents are able to define the value of optimization applied to problem solving, that online workshops on non-formal education in mathematics can be attractive, as well as a useful tool to address the concept of optimization. However, they require more accompaniment, interaction and practical activities to achieve the expected objectives.