Fitoquímica no ensino médio: isolamento e caracterização de compostos orgânicos como agente motivador à ciência, tecnologia, sociedade e ambiente

Abstract

Brazilian Elementary education has been dominated by the centralization and knowledge accumulation, without the concern with the application of the contents in determined situations, going back to the old models of sectorial fragmentation, coming from Cartesian teaching methodologies that are applied until the present time. The use of medicinal plants appears as an alternative to diversify the teaching and learning processes, making it more playful and easy to understand, valuing the environment. In the present work, spectroscopy techniques (ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Infrared (IR) were used as a study tool to clarify the properties of some organic substances identified in the sheets of the plant known as basil (Ocimum basilicum ) and in clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and in urucum (Bixa orellana) seeds. On the other hand, this search studies graduates perceptions about the degree course in Chemistry (in Universidade Federal do Ceará) and perceptions regarding the applicability of the characterization techniques in elementary education, these themes are addressed to the discipline Química Orgânica Fundamental III (QOF- III). To obtain the samples to be analyzed, hydrodistillation and column chromatography techniques were used. The project consisted of an initial stage of an evaluation about students' prior knowledge in Chemistry, followed by theoretical classes to base concepts. Semi-structured questionnaires based on the Likert scale (modified) were used as an evaluation method about students' perceptions regarding the curricular structure in the course and the level of adherence to the project by the students. It was verified that almost half of the evaluated graduates never developed teaching activity and that they believe that the main discipline purpose is to prepare them for a professional action directed to research and industry, presenting little interest for the use of the themes in schools. Even understanding this reality, most agree with the necessity of the discipline in the curriculum. Elementary education students observed that the project has great relevance and that the union university-school is important for scientific dissemination, but they mention that the lack of laboratory supplies in the schools is a factor that hinders the promulgation of the project. Learning level about the contents was satisfactory, this is showed based on the initial lag in basic Chemistry contents. Based on the educational proposals currently seen and desired by Brazilian educational institutions, the work is presented as a premise for the development of research in the school environment, facilitating learning and contributing to the critical and active formation for students in society.