Aprendizagem de física por meio de questões sociocientíficas na Biorregião Amazônica Paraense

Abstract

The objective of the research was to enable learning in higher education for a degree in Physics through Socioscientific Issues (SSI) of the Amazonian bioregion of Pará, considering the interrelations of the systemic conception of Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi, with the Science, Technology, Society, and Environment (STSE) approach, using the Inquiry-Based Teaching (IBT) methodology of Cachapuz, Jorge, and Praia. Based on the principle of the need to achieve more critical citizenship regarding Amazonian socioscientific problems, it is necessary, to adopt facilitating conceptions, approaches, and methodologies. The main problematization is posed as the following question: What Physics learning outcomes in higher education can emerge through socioscientific issues in the Amazonian bioregion of Pará, considering the interrelations of Capra and Luisi’s systemic conception with the STSE approach? I conducted a literature review across four databases, targeting research that involved themes similar to this thesis, encompassing STSE Education or Science Education, covering the last 10 years of articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Studies related to this literature review are still very incipient, as no article was directly linked to the thesis theme, indicating a field of study that is still very open. The SSIs were applied using IBT, through a field research activity for 16 Physics degree students, including interns from the Center for Sciences and Planetarium of Pará and the pedagogical residency program at the State University of Pará, Campus XX in Castanhal-PA. The main result is that the emergent learning outcomes were multifaceted. They included, in addition to the understanding of physical concepts, the application of these concepts in environmental and social contexts, development of critical thinking, interdisciplinary skills, and a holistic vision, which is fundamental to addressing contemporary challenges more effectively and sustainably. Several implications of this research were suggested.