Radiação em alimentos: explorando concepções de alunos em contexto amazônico

Abstract

Aware of the importance of radiation and its applications, specifically food irradiation in the Amazon region, due to its potential role in the preservation and commercialization of local and regional products, this study aims to evaluate the initial stage of a validated pilot project, part of a professional master's research on the teaching of radiation, with a particular focus on food irradiation. The emphasis of the study is on the students' initial perceptions of the subject, based on a survey questionnaire. The research is conducted with first-year students of the New High School in a public school of the state network in Manaus/AM, and it is characterized as qualitative research of an applied nature. The methodological approach adopted is Action Research, and questionnaires are used as data collection instruments. The interpretation of the data follows descriptive analysis based on Gil (2008).The results indicate that students have limited and distorted conceptions regarding radiation and its relations, leading them to associate it only with negative situations. Additionally, they struggle to relate these concepts and their implications to their everyday experiences.