Algas e cianobactérias como indicadoras de impacto ambiental no rio Maquiné (Catas Altas): uma abordagem investigativa para a educação ambiental no ensino médio

Abstract

The objective of this study was to promote teaching about algae and cyanobacteria with a focus on environmental education for high school students, in order to allow a deeper understanding of the diversity, interactions and importance of these organisms. For this purpose, a Didactic Sequence on this topic was developed, applied to students of a 3rd year high school class at a state school in Minas Gerais. The teaching sequence was designed to be applied during six 50-minute classes and included several types of activities, such as the application of a questionnaire to assess students' prior knowledge about algae and cyanobacteria, a lecture-based discussion, internet research, discussion groups, hypothesis development, in situ classes at sampling sites, application of a protocol for rapid assessment of the health of rivers and lakes, periphyton sampling, observation of algae and cyanobacteria under an optical microscope, discussion of results, creation of teaching models of microalgae, and creation of educational folders that were distributed to the school community with the aim of promoting the dissemination of the knowledge acquired by students. The results demonstrated that this teaching sequence was effective in generating and fostering reflections and debates on the need to conserve aquatic ecosystems, with emphasis on the Maquiné River, which has stretches under varying degrees of environmental impacts resulting from human action. It was possible to enrich the teaching-learning process, promoting the active participation of students, stimulating their capacity for critical analysis, in addition to strengthening the importance of active methodologies in the teaching of Biology. The focus on environmental education contributed to the formation of citizens who are more aware and committed to environmental conservation and the search for a future with greater sustainability.