Trabalhando a educação ambiental através do artesanato com as sementes de açaí

Abstract

Açaí has great economic value in the northern region of Brazil and its growth nationally and internationally is responsible for the income of many families. However, the production cycle of Açaí is accompanied by the constant generation of waste, mainly seeds, which end up not having an environmentally correct destination, configuring a serious environmental problem. Thus, this work aims to develop with students the exercise of critical capacity to reflect on the waste discarded in the açaí production cycle, through Environmental Education. Therefore, working with Sustainable Development Goal 12, which is linked to the issue of responsible consumption and production, showing ways to reuse this waste, transforming it into raw material, and possible extra income, reducing its impacts on the environment. The choice of theme is justified by the belief that açaí seeds have many forms of use, and that their potential could become better known. The research adopted has a descriptive character of an environmental educational action, conforming to a qualitative nature with the collection of empirical data, carried out through observation and conversation with the participants during the practice, as well as through two questionnaires in the pre and post format test. As practices, handicraft workshops were held with açaí seeds, involving 32 participants at the Laboratory of Native Species and Environmental Practices (LENPA) of the Polytechnic College of the Federal University of Santa Maria, RS. Based on the interpretation of the data, it was possible to observe that the participants were more concerned about the problems caused by the waste generated in the production of açaí and, above all, they were aware of the importance of reusing them. Its use in the manufacture of biojewels proved to be a viable option for the participants, as well as an alternative for extra income. In short, there was awareness regarding individual attitudes, such as the importance of thinking about reusing materials and the multiplication of these concepts in their circles. It was noticed that the participants attributed to Environmental Education a role in helping to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by açaí seeds. It is hoped that this work will not only benefit the participants of the workshops, but that it will provide subsidies to help future researches related to the theme addressed and that it will serve, mainly, as an incentive for teachers and future researchers in the field of Environmental Education, in order to develop more unusual teaching proposals, combining art, environmental education and sustainability.