Aproximações da educação química CTS/CTSA e educação ambiental: um estudo sobre os impactos da chuva ácida no ambiente

Abstract

The phenomenon of acid rain is considered, among several researchers, as a serious environmental problem that affects many countries of the world bringing consequences for health and public assets and can be considered a reflection of the dynamics of society, so it is necessary to take measures to identify and reduce its causes and consequences through environmental education. The present work seeks to relate the subject of acid rain with the study of chemistry contents such as inorganic functions: Acids and oxides. It is known the difficulties that teachers have in promoting reflection on environmental issues in the classroom, as well as making a relationship between environmental themes and chemistry contents. Thus, we search the contextualization of the contents of chemistry and environment, bringing the rescue of memories, facts, and situations. Therefore, through the STS/STSE approach we invite students to stand themselves as citizens capable of building their own opinion for an understanding of the social dimension of science, technology, and the environment. Thus, the objective of this work is to develop scientific knowledge through a sequence of teaching and learning on the topic acid rain, using the STS/STSE approach that articulates environmental education to chemistry teaching, and to promote students of basic education, environmental and social awareness. Methodologically, we have developed a teaching and learning sequence for Leonard Waks' responsibility cycle-based STS approach, which elects five criteria to teach ethical issues and values that arise in the education that the STS is present. The didactic sequence was developed for application with a class of 13 students aged between 16 and 17, on their last year of high school, consisted of four didactic moments following the criteria of the Waks responsibility cycle, and the time stipulated for each moment is one lecture corresponding to 50 minutes. For analysis data were considered the students' answers through the proposed activities. From the results of the analysis, we can say that, during the moments proposed in the didactic sequence, the students developed a socio-environmental responsibility that was evident when, during the activities, they were able to relate the theme with the chemistry contents. With this, they were capable to denote a greater knowledge of the phenomenon studied that contributed to the understanding of their roles as citizens who recognize their own rights and duties, responsible for their decisions and for their impacts on society.