Formação do conhecimento científico de alunos do ensino médio, por meio do student spaceflight experiments program, em uma escola de fortaleza: um relato de experiência

Abstract

The study addresses the challenges and strategies in developing high school students' scientific knowledge through participation in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), conducted in a private school in Fortaleza, Brazil. The main objective was to evaluate how the implementation of this program contributed to the scientific development of high school students. The research, qualitative and exploratory in nature, used experience reports as its primary methodology. To participate in the SSEP, students were selected based on their academic performance and participation in scientific olympiads. Over nine weeks, students attended both in-person and remote meetings to develop experiment proposals to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS). The program also included teacher training, including the author of this report, where we received specific training to guide students in project development. After participating in the SSEP, the results indicated that the program provided an enriching experience, promoting student leadership and enhancing their research and scientific writing skills. However, challenges such as a lack of familiarity with technical language and difficulties in organizing teamwork were identified. Despite this, participants reported significant gains in responsibility, collaboration, and academic development. Additionally, some students showed increased interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM). The experience highlighted the importance of investigative methodologies in science education and underscored the need for the program’s continuity to enhance students' scientific literacy. Thus, it is concluded that initiatives like the SSEP have great potential to foster interest in research and contribute to the development of future scientists.