Ensino de estequiometria na graduação catalisado pela História e Filosofia da Ciência

Abstract

This paper reports an intervention project on the teaching of stoichiometry for undergraduates in engineering. The poor performance of students in learning this content is a recurring aspect in the teaching practice of one of the authors. A didactic sequence based on the history and philosophy of science was elaborated and applied during the General Chemistry course in the first semester of 2019. The students' previous view of sciences was assessed through the VOSTS questionnaire and semi-structured interviews applied after the end of the teaching project.The results previously indicated a rigid view of science for 42% of students; a breakthrough in all performance indicators measured in the final assessment questions and ultimately suggest a change in students' understanding of the nature of science. The use of the history and philosophy of science favored the engagement and aroused the interest of the students allowing a meaningful learning of stoichiometry.