Cara a cara com cientistas: educação ambiental e divulgação científica na costa semiárida brasileira

Abstract

Brazil's semi-arid coast is a tropical coastal zone and therefore an environment of great importance due to its rich biodiversity and high productivity. Due to the environmental changes of the Anthropocene, coastal socio-ecological systems have been affected very intensely and rapidly. In this context, environmental education and scientific dissemination are essential practices for the development of societies. The general aim of this work is to analyse how a didactic sequence can help scientists and students in the teaching-learning process in an environmental education and science dissemination activity entitled "Face to Face with Scientists", carried out by the Long-Term Ecological Programme for the Semi-Arid Coast of Brazil (PELD CSB). The didactic sequence on the theme "Getting to know the semi-arid coast: from microorganisms to man" took place in two stages. Firstly, a circuit of mini-lectures, given by PELD CSB scientists, for primary school students. Then there was a field lesson on the Pacoti River Ecological Trail, guided by PEAM monitors for these same students. Data was collected from the scientists using two questionnaires: (1) one beforehand to understand their difficulties and to help them plan the mini-classes; (2) and one afterwards to find out their perception of the planning and execution of the activity. With the students, data was collected in three stages, in which they produced drawings: before and after the mini-class circuit, and after the field lesson. Content analysis was then carried out on the questionnaires and interpretative sign analysis was carried out on the drawings. This work has thus fulfilled its objectives. For the students, it provided meaningful learning about mangroves and estuaries from a socio-environmental perspective. For the scientists, it improved their practice in preparing and carrying out mini-classes, which gave Cara a Cara com Cientistas a formative character for these environmental educators and science communicators.