Ensinando ciência e sobre ciência com a utilização de fontes primárias da história do vácuo e da pressão atmosférica

Abstract

This work aims to contribute to the learning of the concept of air pressure and the insertion of discussions on nature of scientific knowledge in basic education. It takes into account the historical construction of this concept in activities that arouse critical thinking and develop the imagination of students, particularly through the interpretation of primary sources. The educational tool suggested is a didactic sequence based on historical and philosophical approach. It proposes that students act in an "investigative" process that allows establishing their initial explanations for a daily physical phenomenon (including any misconceptions), as well as noticing any similarities (and differences) between its own initial explanations and views expressed by thinkers of the past in historical documents. Students are given the opportunity to understand elements of the historical development of the concept of air pressure. They can realize the possible absence or weakness of this factor (as a theoretical assumption) in their initial explanations and have the possibility to reconsider them in light of that element. It is suggested special use of primary sources in mediated intervention of dialogical character, organized in discussions on scientific contents and on nature of science. An empirical research concerning the use of the didactic sequence was carried out in a short-term course for high school students. A major contribution was outlined to the extent that the physical concept was used satisfactorily in a reinterpretation of the phenomenon initially subjected to questioning. It was established thus the collective construction of knowledge by a process in which teacher and students acted as protagonists. Particularly, this work discusses results emerging from research tools applied before and after the intervention, more specifically open questions about physical phenomena related to air pressure as well as open questions about the NOS views held by students.