In recent years, the use of fertilizers in agronomic practices and their direct effect on the planet is a topic which has taken on great importance. In this line and considering the importance to raise awareness about mitigating the effects of climate change, an educational tool based on the inquiry based learning methodology has been developed to disseminate this information to the agricultural community.

The study aim was to investigate the effects of a training inquiry task supported by a virtual laboratory tool “LegitimadaEduLab” to develop science process skills in students from agricultural schools. In this study, 120 participants used this tool as a support during the performance of an inquiry activity based the use of legums on a crop cycle. “LegitimadaEduLab” allows experimentation in different crop cycles considering study variables such as the use of fertilizer, nitrous oxide emissions and crop production. Additionally, this tool is complemented by a glossary and a calculator that allows students to delve deeper into the inquiry task.

The results obtained from this activity through the administration of a questionnaire indicate that using “LegitimadaEduLab” students can observe how the introduction of alternative crops such as legumes intervene in the reduction of the use of nitrogen fertilizers and in the emissions of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Based on the data obtained, students become aware of the importance of the use of legumes in crop rotation to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Keywords: Virtual laboratory, agricultural schools, inquiry methodology.