Um olhar sobre o meio ambiente: fotografia como ferramenta de educação ambiental em escola estadual no Eusébio-CE

Abstract

This Final Degree Project investigates the potential of photography as a pedagogical tool in Environmental Education (EE). The objective was to analyse how the use of mobile phone cameras by high school students from a state school in Eusébio, Ceará, can stimulate sensitivity and critical perception regarding the socio-environmental issues of their communities. The research, based on a qualitative approach, was conducted with two third-year high school classes and structured in five stages: application of an initial survey questionnaire, a pedagogical intervention with a brief theoretical overview of photography and practical activity, extracurricular photographic production, exhibition of the works, application of a final questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using Bardin's Content Analysis. The results of the initial survey indicated a basic perception of environmental problems but a lack of previous experience in EE. After the intervention, the final analysis revealed that the photographic practice deepened the participants' critical observation of their surroundings, consolidating photography as an effective tool for recognition and raising awareness. It is concluded that photography proves to be a valuable and accessible didactic resource for EE, promoting student protagonism. However, the low participation in the extracurricular activity highlighted that student engagement remains a significant challenge, one that goes beyond the mere provision of technological tools.