This article presents the results of a research project carried out as part of the academic program of Social Sciences Education at Universidad del Bio Bio, Chile, with the intention of building geographical knowledge and skills by means of the action research method, in order to improve the geographical thinking of the students taking the class "Man, society and territory", which is taught during the second academic year of the program. Throughout history, education professionals in Chile have considered geography as rote learning with no didactics nor the ability to fascinate students or help them develop a critical, reflective and inclusive mentality in connection with their environment. This research project focuses on developing research skills so that students gain geographical knowledge, a goal that was accomplished through direct and indirect observation of their surroundings.