Ana Carvalho & Cecília Guerra (CIDTFF) | Fostering scientific citizenship in an uncertain world (Proceedings of ESERA 2021), pp. 411-417
Abstract:
Understanding the effect of microorganisms on human health is essential to change people’s thoughts and hygiene habits. This educational goal becomes even more significant nowadays, due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, where day-to-day citizens’ hygiene practices have become even more relevant for public health. Furthermore, science teachers take on a special role in promoting teaching and learning strategies. They also provide resources that raise students’ awareness of this theme. The didactic sequence “Effect of Microorganisms on Human Health”, designed and evaluated during a Research and Development (R&D) project, presented an innovative educational proposal regarding Microbiology in Natural Sciences of the 6th grade in Elementary Education (11 years old students). The sequence includes a set of activities and educational resources that study the effects of microorganisms on human health in an innovative way. Subsequently, to ascertain the scientific and didactic quality of the designed activities and educational resources, the educational contribution of the sequence was evaluated, through the involvement of two researchers of the scientific community: one in Science Education and the other one in Microbiology. The perceptions of the two researchers about the scientific and educational potential usability of the sequence were collected through an online survey and an online interview. Data analysis allowed to present and discuss the potentialities, constraints, and suggestions for improving activities and educational resources from a scientific and educational point of view. Thereby, it is intended with this article: i) To present a didactic sequence that integrates didactic activities and resources on Microbiology; ii) Discuss the potential contributions of activities and educational resources proposed at the level of students’ awareness of the effect of microorganisms on human health.
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Referências:
Carvalho, A., & Guerra, C. (2022). Understanding the effect of microorganisms on human health: a didactical proposal for science education. In G. S. Carvalho, A. S. Afonso & Z. Anastácio (Eds.), Fostering scientific citizenship in an uncertain world (Proceedings of ESERA 2021), Part 5 (co-ed. I. Testa & N. Papadouris), (pp. 411-417). CIEC, University of Minho.
