Tenured Scholars
Soto, Macarena
Assistant Professor
She holds a degree in Education and is a Physics and Mathematics Professor (USACH). She holds a Master's degree in Experimental Science Teaching and a PhD in Education from the University of Buenos Aires (UAB). She is the former president of the SChEC (School of Chemistry and Chemistry). She has worked as a teacher in the school system and currently focuses her research on models and modeling in the initial training of physics teachers.
Main areas of study: Initial Teacher Training, Modeling in Science, Socio-Scientific Controversies
Education
| Job title | Institution that grants it | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate in Education / State teacher in physics and mathematics | University of Santiago, Chile | 2010 |
| Master's Degree in Mathematics and Experimental Sciences Didactics | Autonomous University of Barcelona | 2013 |
| PhD in Education | Autonomous University of Barcelona | 2019 |
Research Projects
| Year | Type | Name | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | NOVUS TRIADA project | Collaborative learning platform for the promotion and development of innovative pedagogical practices based on the integration of socio-scientific controversies with the use of future scenarios | Co-Investigator |
| 2023 | VRI UC Project | "Identification and characterization of argumentative and explanatory skills in professionals in training in experimental sciences, humanities, and social sciences. A fundamental contribution to civic, scientific, and citizen education in their professional development." | Co-Investigator |
| 2022 | Fondecyt Regular 1220500 | Active Learning Strategies Based on Virtual Reality to Improve Academic Performance and Metacognition in Human Anatomy in Health Sciences Students | Co-Investigator |
| 2022 | Fondecyt Initiation 11220317 | Characterizing the appropriation of the modeling practice in the initial training of physics teachers | Principal Investigator |
Publications
Recent
Author
Year
Title
Magazine
Volume
Pages
DOI
Soto, M., Vergara, C., Vélez, A., Valenzuela, J., & Fernández, N.
In the Press
Characterization of the modeling practices present in the didactic designs of future Physics teachers
open classroom
-
-
-
Neyem, A., Cadile, M., Burgos‐Martínez, S.A., Farfán Cabello, E., Inzunza, O., Soto, M., ... & Ottone, N. E
2025
Enhancing medical anatomy education with the integration of virtual reality into traditional laboratory settings.
Clinical Anatomy
38 (3)
249-268
-
Neyem, A., Cadile, M., Burgos-Martínez, S., Soto, M., et al.
2025
Integrating Virtual Reality Game-Based Learning to Enhance Metacognition
Medical Anatomy Education. Clinical Anatomy,
1-27
-
Oyarzo, J., Joglar, C., Quintanilla, M., González, R., & Soto, M.
2025
Artificial intelligence and socio-scientific controversies in higher education science teaching: Approaches and projections based on a bibliographic review
Sisyphus: Journal of Education
13 (1)
8-34
Castellano, MS, Contreras‐McKay, I., Neyem, A., Farfán, E., Inzunza, O., Ottone, NE, ... & Tubbs, RS
2024
Empowering human anatomy education through gamification and artificial intelligence: An innovative approach to knowledge appropriation.
Clinical Anatomy
37 (1)
12-24
Soto, M., Vergara, C., & Valenzuela, J.
2024
Characterization of explanations of pre-service physics teachers regarding modeling skills
Eureka Journal on Science Teaching and Dissemination
21 (3)
3601
Soto, M., & Porflitt, F.
2024
Results of an intervention focused on modeling between Physics and Music in initial teacher training
Ibero-American Magazine of Education
94 (1)
115-136
Soto, M., & Couso, D.
2023
Building a sophisticated energy model for future physics teachers
Teaching of Sciences
41 (2)
25-45
Garrido, A., Soto, M., & Couso, D.
2022
Initial science teacher training: potential contributions and challenges of modeling. Science Teaching.
Journal of research and teaching experiences
40 (1)
87-105
-
Marzábal, A., Delgado, V., Moreira Seguel, P., Merino Rubilar, C., Cabello, V., Manrique, F., Soto, M., Cuellar, L., & Izquierdo, D.
2021
The matter, chemical reaction and thermodynamic models as structuring nuclei of a school chemistry oriented to citizen education.
Chemistry Education
32 (5)
109-126
-
Soto, M., Couso, D., & Pintó, R.
2021
Modeling in Pre-service Secondary School Teacher Education: developing a School Scientific Model of Energy.
Journal of Physics: Conference Series
1929 No. 1
tel. +012087 XNUMX
-
Soto, M., Couso, D., & López, V.
2019
A teaching-learning proposal focused on the analysis of the energy path "step by step"
Eureka Journal on Science Teaching and Dissemination
16 (1)
1202-1
Soto, M., Couso, D., López, V., & Hernández, MI
2017
Promoting the appropriation of the energy model in 4th-year ESO students through didactic design.
Apex
1 (1)
90-106
Book chapters
Author
Year
chapter title
Editors
book title
Pages
Editorial
DOI/Url
Marzabal, A., Merino, C., Soto, M., & Cortés, A.
2024
Modeling-based science education. In Rethinking science education in Latin-America: Diversity and equity for Latin American students in science education
-
Springer Nature Switzerland
245-261
-
-
Soto, M., Cuellar, L., Ariza, Y., Marzábal, A., & Merino, C.
2023
Model-based science teaching and learning and the mediating role of technologies.
Cristian Merino
Teaching and learning science with technologies
13-35
Valparaíso: University Editions of Valparaíso
-
Izquierdo, M., Marzábal, A., Merino, C., Cabello, V., Moreira, P., Cuellar, L., ... & Soto, M.
2022
Discursive Practices in Initial Science Teacher Education.
-
Handbook of Research on Science Teacher Education,
203-217
-
-
Soto, M. and Huerta, L.
2021
Contextualization of the Science Curriculum.
Marzá`bal, A. and Merino, C. (Eds).
In Research in science education in Chile, where are we and where are we going?
47-80
University Editions of Valparaíso.
Reports
Author
Year
Title
Editorial
DOI/Url
Proposals Education Social Table Covid-19
2020
Didactics for proximity: learning in times of crisis. Santiago de Chile. Natural Science Team
proposals education interuniversity work social table covid-19 U. de Chile & P. Universidad Católica de Chile
Teaching and training of researchers
| Course name | Sigla |
|---|---|
| Didactics of Physics I | EDU0255-1 / EDU0178-1 (PEM AND PFP) |
| Didactics of Physics II | EDU0256-1 / EDU0198-1 (PEM AND PFP) |
| Applied Research Seminar: Learning Physics | ECM410F-1 |
| Applied Research Seminar: Learning Physics | ECM409M-1 |
| Challenges in teaching and learning physics | ECM221F-1 |
| Course name | Sigla |
|---|---|
| Directed study | EDU4035-7 |
| Current perspectives on science learning | EDU3880-1 |
| Modeling-oriented science teaching | EDU3883-1 |
| Year | Type | Name | Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | tutor | In process | Daniel Izquierdo |
Commitment
Management Responsibilities at the Faculty or University
- Representative of the Faculty of Education on the Science and Mathematics Pedagogy Curriculum Committee (PEM)
- Representative of the Department of Didactics in the Doctoral Committee.
Social Impact
- 2025: Speaker at the SOCHEF congress
- 2025: Participation in the roundtable on Initial Physics Teacher Training at the CIAEF Congress
- 2022-2023: President of the Chilean Society of Scientific Education (SChEC).
Media appearances
- Radio interview on a program with science and education on Radio Universidad de Chile (2023)
- Ciper science team letter - science curriculum foundations.
