Bridging the generation gap: systematic review of intergenerational experiences carried out in the school environment

In a society undergoing constant change, the school environment becomes an unbeatable context for combating the generation gap and promoting intergenerational experiences (IE). For this reason, this article aims to analyze IE in the context of formal education to clarify the parameters for action, common characteristics, and benefits. To this end, a systematic review has been carried out from 2010 to 2018 in the Web of Science, Scopus, Education Database (Proquest), and ERIC databases. The search concluded with a total of 515 screened records of which 58 met the inclusion criteria. Also, six specialized websites were analyzed as informal sources. Greater interest has been shown in the problem of the aging population and the promotion of IE in the school environment. The analysis provides evidence of the impact that this type of experience has on the participants (students, older people), the school environment, and the community. Therefore, IE is presented as sustainable alternatives that help to generate more cohesive and inclusive societies.