Resumen

This research assistance was developed in the framework of the Evaluation of impacts and expected results of the project ‘Development of a scientific culture in boys, girls and teenagers from the Tolima’ contemplated in the Agreement No. 1026 of 2013 of the Universidad de Ibagué and the Gobernación del Tolima. One of the Agreement’s lines of action was the Strengthening of research seedbed’s groups existing in Tolima. Under that context this study focused on characterizing seedbed’s projects financed during the last three calls made by the line, identifying trends and thematics to propose strategies to strengthen seedbed’s operation. The methodology used in this paper was descriptive with qualitative and inductive approach. 109 projects were characterized, identifying three main areas: engineering (22,93%), social sciences (22,01%) and human sciences (20,18%), in which topics on smart-cities, ICT, biodiversity, peace, employment, plant life and wildlife are highlighted; that mostly contribute to the SDGs: No. 15 life on land (20,18%), No. 11 sustainable cities and communities (18,35%) and No. 4 quality education (16,51%). In addition, 31 coordinating teachers and 34 students’ members of seedbeds were interviewed, identifying the origin and motivations for the development of a research project, the benefits and seedbed’s differentiating factor.