Microbiologia criativa: divulgação científica e práticas experimentais além do laboratório no ensino

Abstract

Microbiology is an essential area in science and biology education, providing fundamental knowledge about microscopic life and its relevance to health, industry, and the environment. However, the lack of infrastructure, such as laboratories and adequate equipment in many public schools, limits the performance of experimental practices, which are essential for complete learning and the development of scientific thinking. This work proposes accessible, low-cost, and viable microbiological experimental practices for teaching, using alternative teaching materials in e-book format. The e-book, along with videos available on the YouTube channel, addresses fundamental concepts of microbiology, focusing on fungi, and suggests experimental activities that do not require specialized laboratories, such as observing food decomposition and fungal growth, in addition to including interactive activities and didactic models. The methodology adopted is exploratory and qualitative, involving the development and application of these practices, with an evaluation of their impact on student learning. After validating the material in different classes at two public schools in Ponta Grossa, within the context of PIBID (Institutional Scholarship Program for Teaching Initiation), it can be stated that this work contributed to scientific dissemination, promoting evidence that contributes to scientific literacy and democratizing access to knowledge, while simultaneously sparking students' interest in scientific topics in an accessible and practical way. The use of alternative resources associated with experimental practices, as well as the availability of the e-book, significantly contributed to the teaching of Microbiology, stimulating the development of scientific skills in students, even in the face of infrastructure limitations.