Utilizando a história e a natureza da ciência por meio de uma atividade colaborativa como mecanismo motivador de aprendizagem

Abstract

The present study aims shows that Scientific Literacy involves more than the domain of scientific theories and concepts, it shows that it is necessary to incorporate understanding about the Nature of Science, thus promoting the development of scientific skills in the classroom. The History of Science is an important component when trying to understand the Nature of Science. This study was carried out in a rural elementary school with 12-to-15-year-old students. It was developed through a collaborative activity which aimed at rewriting the classic Micrographia book written by Robert Hooke in 1665. It was tested if this activity improve the possibility to teach aspects about the History and Nature of Science by developing scientific competences. In order to rewrite the book, students were first introduced to the historical context in which Robert Hooke lived, demonstrating cultural and scientific aspects related to that historical period. In the next step, students explored their home and school environments using a microscope made by themselves, built with PET bottles and lenses obtained from CD / DVD players to unravel an invisible world in which they had not previously known. After these steps, students had to draw and describe the structures observed using the microscopes, where they collaboratively rewrote the classic book, creating a replica. The learning evidences were evaluated through a quantitative tool called the Historical Word Association Test (HWAT), which aims to evaluate the general view of students about the historical period and the sociocultural circumstances involved. The students who participated in the didactic activity showed improvement in the identification and retention of ideas associated to the history of the discovery of the microscopic world, comparing to students who did conventional activities.