Ampliação da percepção e da compreensão sobre questões ambientais em institutos federais de ensino: um estudo de caso no Instituto Federal do Amapá

Abstract

One of the challenges of the school is to promote the development of an integrated understanding of the environment in its multiple and complex relationships. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of complementary educational activities in the perception and cognition of environmental issues high school students from a federal educational institute, besides characterizing the cognitive profile of students of technical high school, considering the theme Environment. Practical activities with environmental themes were carried out during the second half of 2013, with students from the (Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Amapá), campus Laranjal do Jari. It was selected one of the two classes of Environment, involving distinct classes between 24 and 27 students, in theory, with the same socioeconomic profile. In parallel, was carried out a generic survey on the experimental teaching project between August and October 2013, considering 14 classes in total about 328 students in all courses in Technical Environment, Computing Science and Secretariat at the IFAP. Qualitative analysis of the data showed unequivocal evidence of positive changes in terms of accumulated formal knowledge on the environment during the development period of the project. The analysis also showed significant differences between the courses and Environment and Secretariat, considering issues related to the environmental profile. In qualitative terms, was also perceived a significant evolution of the students in the experimental group when the subject was explored and practical everyday problems involving students. The hypothesis that "environmental education planned and included in the formal routine of lessons activities lead to greater insight and understanding on the environmental issues and problems that students experience in your locality" It was corroborated both by the quantitative analysis, as the qualitative observations. From local to regional context, students expand the understanding and perception of the reality that surrounds them as well as beyond the school walls and experiencing environmental problems.