Experiências de compostagem: conectando educação, meio ambiente e comunidade

Abstract

The awareness of children and adolescents to environmental issues can help to recover ancient practices and agroecological knowledge, including the comprehension about the natural cycles. Thus, this study aimed to implement environmental education activities related to the separation and use of organic waste generated in CEFASOL, providing a more conscious environmental vision for each participant. For this, children and youngsters from 3rd to 7th regular school grade joined educational practices related to the production and use of organic fertilizers through waste segregation and composting activities. Also, practical classes focusing on the each one responsibility to the environmental resources, were proposed. Previous awareness of issues such as waste, decomposition and composting was reduced. After the theoretical and experimental activities, there was a re-signification of previously not understood terms, pointing out to a wider (even initial yet) and more connected consciousness, which makes children and youngsters to act as practices and knowledge disseminators; then, performing good environmental practices. Diagnostic activities indicated a better theme and meanings comprehension of several environmental principles. The participants interest indicated that the novelty of a practical educational activity that focuses in the environment were welcome. The weekly monitoring of the composting material involved the students, who followed the gradual conversion of the material into fertilizer. Thus, placing the waste and food in the same equation, emphasizing the relevance of adequate waste disposal, was still novelty in this community, making practices such as composting an integration tool between society and environment.