Proposta didática para o ensino de meio ambiente e água na disciplina Ciências Naturais

Abstract

The degradation of the environment is an indisputable fact in present days and is aggravating every day with more intensity. The destruction of ecosystems, the extinction of species of flora and fauna, pollution of the environment, contamination of the soil and, especially, of the waters, are massive problems. Water, because of its great importance to life on this planet, has to be studied in several contexts, considering that the knowledge regarding it is of extreme relevance to the survival of humanity, the conservation of biodiversity, and for the relationship between living beings and the environment. Nevertheless, there are constant threats to the quantity and quality of surface and underground water in the planet, mainly due to its excessive use for various human activities, resulting in pollution and contamination of the springs of the urban environment in Manaus. One of the alternatives found for the protection of biodiversity, especially in urban areas, was the establishment of protected areas such as Conservation Units (UCs). Often near UCs, there are schools that can be introduced to educational projects as a mean of raising awareness, creating alternatives so that science teachers can have educational protocols that guide their educational practice, not having the textbook as the only resource. The objective of this research was to elaborate a didactic proposal for the teaching of subjects regarding environment and water in the natural sciences curriculum, as a way to improve the teaching-learning process, educating students about the importance of preserving the natural resources of the Mindu Municipal Park (“Parque Municipal Nascentes do Mindu – PMNM”). This research was developed at the PMNM and at the Municipal School Raul de Queiroz de Menezes Veiga, with 39 students from the 6th grade of elementary school, 02 teachers who teach the Natural Sciences discipline, 15 parents of the students participating in the research, and 12 surrounding residents of the PMNM. The methodology used had a qualitative approach. The instruments of data collection were questionnaires and interviews. The intervention was made from lectures in the classroom, field classes, and experimental classes at PMNM and at the school. In the same sense, the verification of learning occurred through questionnaires and educational games. The results showed that, in spite of the difficulties faced by the schools to implement dialogic expository classes, field classes, and experimental classes, the students had a better understanding of the knowledge transmitted from the activities implemented, being more aware of the importance of the preservation of natural resources available at the PMNM. Educational activities, such as those developed in the PMNM, help spread new attitudes, transmit knowledge, and raise awareness regarding the conservation of the environment and water, not only to the students but to the parents and residents of the PMNM, in order to contribute for the valorization of the park and the development of new educational, social, and ethical values. Finally, the didactic strategies listed in this study appear as a resource to help teachers and students during the teaching-learning process of subjects related to the environment and water, contributing with the teacher to develop diversified activities, giving new meanings to their practice.