Pequenos cientistas: educação ambiental e biodiversidade no Ensino Fundamental

Abstract

Macroinvertebrates, especially aquatic insects, play an important ecological role and function as excellent bioindicators due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. The inclusion of these organisms in pedagogical practices serves as a powerful didactic tool for Environmental Education in Elementary School, facilitating the understanding of ecological concepts and their scientific importance while promoting environmental awareness and the appreciation of biodiversity within the school context. The adopted methodology is based on interactive pedagogical practices, featuring expository and playful activities that stimulate scientific curiosity and student leadership toward caring for the environment as a whole. Students engaged in nature observation, including direct contact with insect species understood as bioindicators of ecosystem quality, which enabled the development of scientific curiosity. The methodology was applied to a class of 23 elementary school students. The results demonstrate that using aquatic insects as a didactic resource significantly enhanced learning and benefited the development of an investigative attitude and interest in science from childhood. Furthermore, they indicate that the playful and interactive approach promotes the understanding of biodiversity and sustainability concepts, in addition to encouraging more conscious attitudes toward the environment. It is concluded that the integration of environmental education in elementary school is essential for fostering a culture of preservation and respect for nature from childhood