Do passado para o presente: aprendendo paleontologia por meio de atividades investigativas no Ensino Fundamental II

Abstract

In the following paper presents a didactic sequence of science education using inquiry. Students of the 6th grade from elementary school used tools of scientific inquiry, and the approach that scientists use to study the natural world. In activity, the kids and your fellow paleontologists discovered the fossil remains of a prehistoric animal. The teaching of Paleontology is typically released to the general stories and documentaries. Thus, the aimed to move away from traditional practices, by to solve a problem using the steps of scientific inquiry. Qualitative analysis was used, the field data compiled from participant observation. Were used elements of the analytical tool proposed by Mortimer and Scott (2002) to analyze the construction of meanings in the social context of the classroom. Students participated actively in class discussions, developed a template for the steps of scientific inquiry and used the template effectively to solve a problem. They identified the problem, hypotheses, steps taken to solve the problem, organization of results, conclusion and comparison of the initial hypothesis with conclusion. The results showed that the approach used encourages the differentiation of practice in teaching paleontology and promoves the teaching-learning process more attractive to students, as it integrates different aspects of scientific inquiry.