The development of competencies in the study of natural sciences is aimed at preparing students to perceive their reality and become actively involved in its transformation according to the needs of the context. However, monitoring and results at the national and global levels show difficulties in the teaching and learning processes of this area of knowledge. The study is carried out with the purpose of analyzing the project-based learning methodology as a didactic strategy to contribute to the quality requirements that the educational system must meet. For this purpose, at an exploratory level, challenges in the teaching of natural sciences that hinder the formation of scientific competencies in elementary and middle school students were addressed.

 Likewise, the conceptualization of the variables involved in this study is presented, describing the processes of inquiry, explanation of phenomena and the comprehensive use of scientific knowledge. Finally, the findings indicated in this article validate project-based learning (PBL) as a strategy conducive to the development of scientific competencies in students and serve as a basis for future research at the doctoral level that contemplates this educational problem in less favorable contexts.