Ciência cidadã em plantações de café: uma proposta participativa e investigativa para o ensino de ecologia

Abstract

Citizen Science refers to the voluntary participation of citizens in scientific processes, where these actors can collect and generate data relevant to the study of issues and actions specific to their local reality. Linking this participatory research to teaching through investigation, it is possible to provide opportunities for students to take a leading role in the construction of their own knowledge, in addition to promoting reflection on their daily lives, direct participation in local issues and the production of scientific knowledge. Brazilian coffee farming is an activity with significant economic development, from farms to family farming. However, conventional production management has negatively impacted ecosystems, from the reduction of biodiversity and natural resources to the consequences on human health arising from exposure to pesticides. In this context, the objective of this research is to develop and analyze a participatory proposal for teaching Ecology, with an investigative approach, based on a Citizen Science experience lived by high school students in a public school, in the district of Santa Luzia de Caratinga, municipality of Caratinga/MG, where coffee growing is one of the main economic activities. Using a participatory and investigative approach, students were given the opportunity to improve their knowledge on the topic, built a district collection as a Citizen Science tool and encouraged reflection and constructive criticism of their daily context.