Óptica na prática: promovendo a aprendizagem através de experimentos acessíveis no ensino de Física

Abstract

The teaching of Physics in Brazil, especially in public schools, faces challenges such as students’ lack of interest and the difficulty in understanding abstract concepts. In this context, this work investigates the influence of using practical and low-cost experiments on the learning of optics at the Full-Time High School Poeta Patativa do Assaré, part of the state education network of Ceará. The study includes the development of a didactic sequence based on experimentation and its application in the classroom. The proposed sequence consists of five classes of one hundred minutes each, in which students perform experiments on optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and color formation, organized in a station-rotation system. The material includes a teacher’s guide with detailed instructions on the experiments and suggestions for complementary activities. To evaluate the influence of the experiments on learning, diagnostic activities were applied before and after the intervention. The results indicated a significant improvement in the understanding of optics concepts and greater student engagement, highlighting the potential of low-cost experiments as an effective teaching strategy.