A divulgação científica e a feira das profissões: uso e aplicação dessas ferramentas pedagógicas no ensino fundamental

Abstract

Vocational education in Brazil began during the Imperial period, with initiatives aimed at training young people in situations of social vulnerability. Over time, these institutions underwent successive changes, culminating in 2008 with the implementation of upper secondary education integrated with vocational education by the Brazilian Federal Government and the Government of the State of Ceará, through the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Ceará (IFCE) and the State Schools of Vocational Education (EEEPs). The “Careers Fair” is an event that supports vocational guidance and scientific outreach within schools, assisting upper secondary students in choosing a higher education degree, while also addressing technical programs. In light of this, the following questions arise: What is the relevance of the “Careers Fair” to vocational guidance for students in the final years of lower secondary education? And how can the production and implementation of such events be encouraged within these institutions? Accordingly, the general objective of this study is to understand how the “Careers Fair” can support and motivate students, teachers, and administrators in the Municipal Education Network of Fortaleza, with the aim of incorporating it as a vocational guidance tool in the final years of lower secondary education. This research is characterized as an exploratory case study with a qualitative approach, designed to meet the stated objectives. Participants included 35 students, three teachers, and one coordinator from a part-time municipal school located in Fortaleza, Ceará. The research techniques were based on adaptations of Célestin Freinet’s methodologies, namely the “Field Trip” and “Free Text,” tailored to lower secondary education and organized into the following stages: (i) a survey of integrated upper secondary programs offered in Fortaleza, identifying 35 course options across 24 institutions; (ii) administration of a diagnostic questionnaire to students; (iii) a “Field Trip” with participants to the Careers Fair at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), the IFCE, and one EEEP; (iv) implementation of “Free Text” activities with students; (v) semi-structured interviews with the coordinator and teachers; (vi) data analysis; and (vii) development of an Educational Product in the form of a guide entitled Scientific Outreach and the Careers Fair: Use and Application of These Pedagogical Tools in Lower Secondary Education. The results showed that 91% of students had never visited a Careers Fair; 35% were unaware of technical education options, despite reporting concerns about the labor market; among students who were aware of technical programs, Administration, Information Technology, and Nursing were the most frequently mentioned; 22.5% of students reported not yet knowing which career they wish