Despertando mentes sustentáveis: uma jornada de descobertas através do ensino por investigação no ensino médio

Abstract

In the face of contemporary environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, it is crucial to educate young people to understand, analyze and make informed decisions about environmental issues. In this context, education emerges as an essential tool for the development of a sustainable society. The overall objective of this study was to encourage students to identify and seek solutions to socio-environmental problems at school and in the local community. This project was implemented in four classes of the first year of the new high school, in a state school in the city of Contagem, Minas Gerais. The development of this project was carried out in two stages: the first consisted of an investigative didactic sequence in which pedagogical practices were applied to address the importance of Education for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the second was the production of awareness-raising materials for the development of sustainable attitudes among students and the local community. The study is based on the application of active learning methodologies, which involve students in processes of investigation and resolution of real problems. Students actively participated in activities such as analyzing socio-environmental data, photographing community problems, and creating interactive maps using digital tools such as Padlet. Through the proposed activities, students identified real problems present in the school and community, such as improper waste disposal, lack of basic sanitation, and deforestation, correlating them with the SDGs. The creation of materials such as booklets, interactive maps, and digital games reinforced student protagonism and the practical application of learning. The development of this proposal allowed us to highlight students' ability to identify and propose solutions to a variety of socio-environmental challenges, demonstrating the importance of an education that transcends the mere transmission of information and promotes active and conscious engagement of students. The implementation of inquiry-based teaching methodologies in high school can serve as a model for other schools that wish to integrate the SDGs in a practical and engaged way, highlighting the importance of education in promoting sustainability and contributing significantly to the formation of critical citizens who are engaged in building a sustainable future.