Educação ambiental, os resíduos sólidos e a aplicabilidade de metodologias ativas para alunos do ensino médio, no município de Tapauá – Amazonas - Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehend the relationship between high school students and the environment, utilizing active methodologies as a motivating tool in a cross-disciplinary approach to address the theme of "Environmental Education." This exploration was based on students' perceptions regarding the generation/disposal of solid waste in a public school located in Tapauá, Amazonas. Didactic strategies involved active methodology tools through educational practices, aiming to foster a socio-environmental attitude and community awareness in daily life, bridging classroom learning with local reality for a more efficient teaching and learning experience. A questionnaire comprising ten multiple-choice questions was employed to analyze students' pre-existing knowledge about Environmental Education and related topics. The data obtained from working with the students allowed for organizing and interpreting information, defining the students' perception concerning environmental education within an exploratory-descriptive quantitative approach. These data were input into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and presented in graphs based on response frequencies, subsequently discussed. Results indicated that despite students' prior knowledge about solid waste and their firsthand experience visiting the landfill, they developed a heightened sensitivity and awareness regarding the consequences of neglecting environmental issues, leading to disastrous consequences for humanity. There appears to be a lack of municipal actions to reinforce selective waste collection programs, alongside the absence of widespread campaigns informing the population about the subject's importance. Although students separate solid waste within the school environment, these behaviors do not extend beyond the school premises. Thus, prioritizing Environmental Education in an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary manner within the school underscored the importance of a comprehensive and profound environmental consciousness. Analyzing the contributions of active methodologies in Environmental Education from both teachers' and students' perspectives proved crucial in identifying paths that could positively influence habit changes and environmental care. Offering practical and tangible solutions based on these perceptions represents a significant step toward constructing a more sustainable future.