Educação ambiental e iniciação científica no ensino fundamental

Abstract

The development of scientific skills is the main goal of the Scientific and Technological Literacy (LST), which has been currently target of interest of many researchers who try to elucidate the mechanisms of implementation with the students, and to evaluate the indicators of this process checking the advances built by them. Scientific Literacy seeks the understanding of the basic operating structure of science, which encompasses the acquisition of basic vocabulary of scientific concepts, an understanding of the nature of scientific methods, and an understanding of the impact of science and technology on individuals and society. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental education to the development of scientific skills in students of the final years of primary school of a public school, located on the watershed called Arroio Pena Branca in the city of Caxias do Sul, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which uses the water resources as a motivating theme. The chosen methodology is a participant research with predominantly qualitative data, using as strategies for data collection the questionnaire and the focus group, besides the direct observation of the researcher.The active learning method used with participants was teaching by research and, theoretical concepts required contribution, was made queries the specialists and specialities. The activities involved awareness of environmental impacts and theoretical foundation on water, specimen collection and analysis of water quality of the stream with determination of the Index of Water Quality, the recognition and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates collected in the watershed and used as bioindicators, the realization of analogies between natural and artificial ecosystem, the socialization of knowledge, and the construction of an educational game. The study points to the effectiveness of environmental education in the development of scientific skills. The understanding of the effects of human action in the natural environment made the participants to be able to reflect on possible changes and methods that can be used for the preservation and conservation of natural resources, particularly related to water. The Elementary school students’ involvement in research activities proved to be an important tool for the understanding of scientific methodologies and their applicability in environmental education activities, as well as to vocational training.