Contribuições de uma trilha ecológica como estratégia de ensino de botânica nos anos finais do ensino fundamental

Abstract

Ecological trails are experiential learning paths that generally explore a variety of topics or themes in a sequential manner, being a more interactive teaching method, involving practical activities, discussions and active discoveries to consolidate concepts. In this sense, this study focused on evaluating the contributions of using an ecological trail to teaching botany to students in the 7th year of elementary school II at the João Queiroga de Souza school, in Laranjal do Jari, AP. The intention was to provide a differentiated practical activity for teaching plant groups to students in a school located in the lower part of the city of Laranjal do Jari/AP, which lacks infrastructure. For this, a class was planned on the Wajãpi Ecological trail located around the Instituto Federal do Amapá campus Laranjal. At the beginning of the trail, it was identified through a preliminary questionnaire that the majority of students did not know the answers to specific questions about plant groups, showing a gap in knowledge of the topic. During the trail, explanations were made about the content regarding plant groups with classifications and main morphological characteristics, followed by a group activity. At the end, students responded to a questionnaire to check their performance and satisfaction with the class. There was a significant improvement in student performance regarding the topic covered, and a high level of satisfaction, showing that the ecological trail enabled the construction of a more attractive and facilitating education. This work revealed the importance of practical classes in teaching botany, in the context of understanding plant groups and encouraging greater student participation. Although the use of the ecological trail brings with it some school planning and bureaucratic challenges related to the logistics of the organization, the importance of schools encouraging teachers to use innovative educational strategies that bring students closer to nature and broaden their perspectives is reinforced, transforming the process of learning into a memorable and transformative experience.