A importância da experimentação no ensino de química: trabalhando o conceito de ácido e base no ensino médio

Abstract

In traditional teaching, several students have had difficulties in associating the contents of the subjects of Chemistry with the daily life. The concepts of acids and bases have been difficult to understand among Chemistry students in high school. The experimentation promotes a motivating effect in the student by making a connection between the daily and the contents addressed in the room, making possible the significant learning. Based on this, it is questioned, why the students present so much difficulty in learning something that is inserted in their dayto-day. In the search for alternatives that aim to awaken the student's attention, the subject of inexpensive and accessible materials experimentation appears as a facilitating tool in the teaching and learning process in Chemistry. The research was developed with 54 students of the third year of high school of the state public school Justiniano de Serpa, classes A and B, denominated control (JS1) and experimental (JS2) groups, respectively. The contents addressed in this work were acids and bases, in which purple cabbage was used as pH indicator and neutralization reaction evidenced by the extinguisher experiment. The results were analyzed through questionnaires to verify the previous and acquired knowledge. The acid and base concepts presented by the students showed their dependence on the textbook. The data showed that the lack of interest of the students is due to the lack of contextualized classes, as well as the lack of experimental activities that relate theory and practice. This methodology aroused the interest and the motivation of the students, however in the group with the experimentation was observed a higher achievement index, highlighting its importance for meaningful learning.