| Summary: | In a society that is constantly changing and deeply marked by advances in science and technology, it is essential to invest in a training that values personal and social development, as well as the understanding of the interaction Science-Technology-Society-Environment (CTSA). A science education focused on knowledge and understanding of science and technology and its role in our daily lives allows individuals to engage and understand these discussions on these issues, as well as their social implications. Therefore, it is crucial to provide students with teaching-learning situations that can enable them for a more reflected and critical participation in society, that are likely to trigger an increase in cognitive, communicative, social and democratic processes, paving the way for scientific literacy and a participatory and democratic citizenship. In this social context, the study of controversial issues of social-scientific and social-environmental nature, it is constituted as a rich learning context as they are associated with existing differences between the different actors involved in the discussion, regarding the assessment of the validity and credibility of the scientific issues that are involved. It is the case, for example, of differences related to some practices developed by man that can endanger our health or the environment. For Sadler, Barab and Scott (2007), a social-scientific reasoning should involve: the recognition of the complexity of the issues under study, the analysis of the issues in their multiple perspectives, bear in mind the notion that the issues are under investigation and doubt the potentially tendentious information. In this context, these issues cannot be simplified but seen in all their complexity (in all dimensions involved). Based on these assumptions, it was developed an investigation-action with future teachers and educators in order to access the potentialities and limitations of the discussion of socio-scientific and socio-environmental issues using the role-playing in environmental education classes. The activity was focused on a current environmental problem in our society – the construction of dams – raising the awareness of students about the risks and the interests that are involved and in which participate different groups of society, like scientists, environmentalists, politicians and economists. If the seriousness of the environmental problems and the fast rhythm that current societies live ask for an intervention and awareness in the environmental area, in a perspective of continuity of life and sustainable balance, it is essential to reach the population from which young people are part of and, consequently, it is the school’s responsibility to make a statement in this sense. The obtained data through the activity assessment questionnaire, the interview, field notes and the final reflection carried out by work groups helped confirm that this didactic experience enabled the development of many skills related to: a) the substantive knowledge; b) didactic knowledge; c) reasoning; d) communication; and d) attitudes. Some of the negative aspects of the performed dynamic were related to how the teacher managed the discussion but it was also pointed out the less positive aspects the communicative skills and the team work skills evidenced by students. However, as it was observed in other studies about the same issue, not all groups were able to take a decision regarding the feasibility and reasonableness of more investments for the construction of dams in our country, based on the example of the Alqueva dam. In this type of activity it is difficult to reach a consensus among all group members. There are many aspects to consider and the more awareness students take in relation to the factors involved in the problem and its implications, the more confused they become. The most important aspect is to inform the students of the various dimensions involved and enable them to access accurate and reliable information.
|
|---|