BRIDGING HIGHER AND BASIC EDUCATION: AN (INTER)ACTIVE LEARNING APPROACH TO HAND HYGIENE

Abstract

Within the scope of the undergraduate program in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (from E2S, P. Porto), and in line with their future roles as healthcare professionals, it is essential to promote educational experiences that integrate technical-scientific knowledge with communication skills.

The activity "Bridging Higher and Basic Education: (Inter)Active Learning on Hand Hygiene", designed and led by higher education (HE) students for primary school children, served as a community outreach strategy aimed at promoting health literacy. Through a playful, interactive, and age-appropriate approach, the activity raised children's awareness about the importance of proper hand hygiene, contributing to infection prevention.

At the same time, the initiative provided a valuable learning opportunity for HE students by fostering the development of soft skills such as health communication, critical thinking, and adaptability. This paper aims to describe this educational practice and reflect on the key competencies identified by students in designing educational strategies that impact both individual and public health.