A importância da Astronomia na educação científica: experiências do PIBID e Seara da Ciência

Abstract

This work aims to reflect on the experiences developed in the PIBID project (Astronomy subproject) and the Seara da Ciência, both connected to the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), and how these experiences contributed to teacher education and the promotion of scientific education. The activities carried out — including mini-courses, lectures, telescope observations, and science outreach events — were designed to make learning more dynamic and engaging, based on active methodologies and supported by the theoretical frameworks of Piaget and Vygotsky. The research followed a qualitative and descriptive approach, using personal records and reports from the projects as the main sources of data. The analysis showed that these actions were effective in sparking students’ interest in science, strengthening scientific literacy, and encouraging the practical application of knowledge gained in the early stages of teacher training in Physics. It was also observed that formal and non-formal educational spaces complement each other by offering diverse and meaningful learning opportunities. Although some proposed activities were not completed due to logistical and time constraints, the outcomes highlight the value of such experiences in shaping teachers who are critical, reflective, and committed to science education. It is concluded that initiatives like PIBID and the outreach projects from Seara da Ciência play a crucial role in bringing universities closer to society and building a stronger scientific culture.