Our dynamic modern times pose many challenges to education, one of which is how the citizens of the future society should be trained and educated. The school's main goal is to meet the needs and requirements of adolescents and prepare them for their future so that they can confidently fit into this society and develop their true potential. From here arises the need for teachers not just to teach in the direction of accumulating factual knowledge, but to create in students motivation and interest in learning new knowledge, to form skills for practical application of this knowledge, and to develop the so-called key competencies. Integrative trends and processes are considered as a connecting link between the logic of scientific knowledge and the need of the studied academic disciplines. By applying the integral approach in the pedagogical process, students' potential can be developed, their motivation for learning can be increased, their need for deeper knowledge can be increased, and the practical application of the acquired knowledge in real life can be demonstrated. We performed a literature search to gain an understanding of what is the scientific knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of the integral approach. The initial identification of the scientific literature in the field was done by searching for articles in the most popular databases – Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct platforms using a set of keywords. The inclusion and exclusion criteria have been applied during the screening process. It has been found that the integral approach develops as a priority the ability for logical and critical thinking, creativity and initiative in solving problems, skills for handling digital technologies, etc. Integration in natural sciences education reflects the development path of the science itself. The integral approach to biological phenomena implies seeing the unity, the overall nature of their constituent elements at all levels of biological organization: molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, organismal, species, population, biocenotic, and biospheric. This approach is imposed by the very integral organization and development of the individual as a complex and unified organism. In the context of education, the integrated approach can be applied in several ways. First, it allows the development of interdisciplinary curricula that integrate knowledge from areas such as ecology, economics, social sciences, and management. By combining these disciplines, students can see the interrelationships between the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Second, the integral approach emphasizes the importance of active learning and student involvement in real-world projects related to sustainable development. Project-based learning provides opportunities for students to apply what they have learned in the context of real-world situations, such as participating in local environmental initiatives or developing sustainable solutions to societal problems. Third, the integral approach emphasizes the development of ethical behavior and responsibility of students. By including topics related to ethics and moral duty to future generations, students are motivated to reflect on their actions and their long-term consequences. The formation of a culture of responsibility requires encouraging reflection and self-analysis among students, as well as developing decision-making skills.

Keywords: Integral approach, education, key competences, activity.