O zoológico como um espaço de ciência para a sensibilização de estudantes sobre a temática biodiversidade brasileira

Abstract

Non-formal teaching spaces such as museums, aquariums, botanical gardens and zoos can be seen as instruments of conservation, education and research, and can also expand education concepts beyond the school space. The use of these spaces can generate opportunities for the application of school content, cultural experiences and the development of a scientific culture. Since Brazil has one of the world's largest biodiversity indices, this theme was thought for the development of an educational product in one of these out-of-school environments. It was necessary to discuss the importance of science museums and zoos as educational spaces that could bring greater awareness about conservation. Within this referential context, the present project had as objective to value the zoo as a science center through a ludic activity that should contribute to a better knowledge about the Brazilian biodiversity, specifically the national fauna. A game was developed as a treasure hunt style (named Mapa do TeZOOuro) to be used at the Zoobotânica of Belo Horizonte, in a field activity taught by the professor for elementary school students. The students' involvement with the activity was also analyzed as well as their interaction with the zoo. The activity stimulated the students to explore the information present in the zoo through plates, tracks and maps, thus favoring the relationship of the students with the physical space of the zoo and also served for a closer approximation of them with the proposed theme. We hope that this project will contribute to the teacher's practice and stimulate the use of the tool developed, as well as to favor the dialogue between non-formal education institutions and the teacher.