Estudo da aplicabilidade do tema gerador “óleos essenciais de espécies amazônicas” como ferramenta didática para o ensino de química orgânica.

Abstract

The teaching of Chemistry has become a concern for many education professionals, given students’ growing disinterest in the subject matter. Therefore, it is important to seek alternatives that make the teaching of this science more engaging. One approach is to use themes from students’ daily lives, contextualizing Chemistry content and making learning more meaningful. In the Amazon region, the theme "essential oils from Amazonian species" proves to be relevant. In this context, a study was developed to contextualize the teaching of Organic Chemistry for high school students in Amapá, using this thematic generator as a didactic tool, based on the Amapá State High School Curriculum Guidelines. The aim is to show teachers and Chemistry undergraduate students how Organic Chemistry topics can be addressed through the essential oils theme. It is worth noting that thematic approaches have become a viable alternative in education, as they can spark students' interest and curiosity by connecting content to their lived experiences, making it more relevant and promoting dynamic, participatory classroom environments. Essential oils from Amazonian species were chosen due to their attractive aromas and their origin in the Amazon, home to the planet’s greatest biodiversity. The adopted methodology is a qualitative study, using an exploratory and descriptive bibliographic review of articles published between 2013 and 2023. The species analyzed in this study were priprioca, breu-branco, pau-rosa, alecrim-pimenta, and pimenta de macaco. The analysis aimed to identify which Organic Chemistry contents from the Amapá curriculum could be addressed based on the chemical composition of the studied species. It was possible to identify topics such as classification of carbon chains, classification of carbon atoms, organic functions, and isomerism. Notably, nitrogen and halogenated functions were not found in the oils analyzed. Thus, the chosen theme allows for the exploration of almost all Organic Chemistry topics in the curriculum, connecting the chemical composition of these species to their cultural and economic relevance.