Investigação de práticas e saberes docentes dos professores de ciências sobre a temática "meio ambiente" nas escolas municipais de Alegrete/RS.

Abstract

Environmental education (EE) is considered a cornerstone of elementary school, related to the development of critical thinking and creativity, and it inspires students to involve themselves in their communities. It also favors the understanding of the importance of a healthy environment and provides the basis for living a sustainable life. In this context, teachers have a significant role, as they influence the development of their students and can stimulate them to become responsible towards nature, having the responsibility to promote the values and ethics necessary to protect the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate how the elementary school teachers of the municipality of Alegrete (Rio Grande do Sul state) perceive the environment and the teaching-learning process related to this theme. A quiz was used for this, with 26 questions distributed in 3 axes: I) Knowing the professional profile of the teachers working with EE in schools; II) Analyze their perceptions concerning the teaching of issues related to the environment; and III) Verify the didactic strategies used to teach subjects related to the environment. These questions were shared with the teachers using online forms. Most of the teachers consulted consider the environment as an appealing theme for their students, and do not perceive many difficulties to

develop this theme in their classes, but they highlight the importance of continuing education on this issue. Fulfilling this gap is important for a teaching practice that implements EE in a truly transformative way.