Almir Queiroz and the Waters of the Cricaré River

Freirean Thematic Investigation in Science Teaching based on the CTSA Approach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply a didactic sequence based on the Science, Technology, Society and Environment (STSE) approach and Paulo Freire's thematic investigation to the teaching of science in the fifth year of elementary school. This is qualitative action research, carried out with 15 students from a public school located in a riverside community in the municipality of São Mateus-ES. The proposal was based on the students' local reality, with an emphasis on socio-environmental issues related to the Cricaré River. The didactic sequence was developed in five phases, covering topics such as the water cycle, pollution, treatment, and environmental preservation. The data obtained was analyzed using a descriptive and interpretative approach, based on the written, visual, and oral records produced during the activities. This analysis considered three main criteria: the students' prior knowledge, the didactic sequence's contributions to learning and the environmental stance demonstrated in the practices and discussions held. The results indicate that the didactic sequence helped the students to reflect on the local reality, especially about environmental issues related to the Cricaré River. It was possible to observe an articulation between the content covered and the experiences of the community, with signs of a greater critical perception of the environment. This process reinforces the importance of teaching proposals aligned with the students' socio-cultural context, encouraging active participation in their reality.