A cor das plantas como tema de atividade investigativa para o ensino de ciências com alunos gravemente enfermos

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how an investigative teaching sequence, can be developed in a school-hospital environment, focusing on the understanding of plant pigments and their biological functions. The research was conducted with three 7th grade elementary school students at a hospital specializing in oncology treatments, the GRAACC Hospital, through the Mobile School/Specific Student (EMAE). The teaching sequence consisted of four classes, in which the students investigated the color of plants, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, and discussing the results. The qualitative analysis of the collected data showed that the investigative approach favored the development of critical and scientific thinking in the students, allowing them to move from intuitive conceptions to more structured explanations about the physiological processes of plants. Although they still presented some conceptual difficulties, mainly in relation to the biological functions of pigments, the students demonstrated significant progress, especially in associating pigments with the functions of photosynthesis and light absorption.