Tem bicho no Parque? Um tantão! : ações de divulgação científica em escolas do entorno do Parque Estadual do Rio Doce

Abstract

The Rio Doce State Park (PERD) protects the largest continuous fragment of Atlantic Forest in the state of Minas Gerais. This conservation unit has been facing several challenges, such as illegal hunting and fishing, arson, introduction of exotic species, vandalism, roads, urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Faced with these threats, recent studies argue about the fundamental role of society for the success of conservation actions. This work presents an activity developed within the scope of a broader project that promotes the scientific communication of the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest in schools, monthly, with the participation of scientists and managers of this conservation unit. Specifically, we present a report of the experience of developing an activity on the Mapinguari uai fly, in five public schools around the PERD. The theoretical framework is based on Vigotskian concepts. In the methodology, we describe the three stages of the activity, including the process of assembling the fly, to allow its replication in other contexts. The results show the enthusiasm and importance attributed by the school community to the activity. We evidenced its potential to build more adequate views about scientists and the ludic and attractive nature of the activity. We discuss the results in relation to studies in the field of Science Education and Public Communication. In the final considerations, we highlight the potential of the partnership between schools, scientists, PERD managers, in addition to prospecting future paths for the project under development.