O ensino de biologia e educação ambiental : práticas alternativas como subsídio na conscientização ético-ambiental estudantil

Abstract

This study was aimed at analyzing the educational potential of alternative practical activities in the development of student ethical and environmental awareness and student learning in biology, focusing in the process of environmental awareness. Research was divided into three stages: preparation of a book of alternative practical activities, an environmental awareness workshop and completion of five experimental activities. The object of this research was the E.E.F.M. Antonio Bezerra, located on the Antonio Bezerra neighborhood, in the city of Fortaleza (Ce), Brazil, with a sampling of two classes of high school (first year) students. The data were subjected to quantitative analysis, which assessed the biological learning and qualitative analysis, which evaluated the environmental awareness acquired by the student. Regarding the first aspect, it was observed a knowledge increase (among the students) on the subject of vitamins. As for awareness, we used the criterion of categorization of content, where the categories listed were: definition of critical Environmental Ethics (EE), social inequality and environmental responsibility. In these three aspects, it was found that students had, originally, fragmented views of EE, with an uncompromising approach to the social,economic and political reality inhabited by human society. After raising the awareness of the students (environmental workshop and alternative practical activities) some relevant changes developed, showing a more socially and environmentally aware point of view, emphasizing the coexistence with nature and beings (including humans) living in contact with it. The solidarity and respect for the feelings of the others became evident in the speech of the students, which reflected increased care and responsibility towards the environment.