Scientific literacy and scientific Olympiads in basic education

Abstract

The challenges in the teaching and learning process of students in basic education are enormous, including the need to make teaching more attractive, in order to potentially achieve meaningful learning for students. Thus, in this work, the importance of pedagogical practices based on learning theories is highlighted, here specifically considering Ausubel's Theory of Meaningful Learning and Bruner's Theory of Cognitive Load (curriculum in spiral), for the engagement of students, in elementary school classes, in the post-pandemic return to face-to-face classes. Using the Scientific Olympics, in particular the Brazilian Astronomy Olympiad and the Brazilian Rocket Show, as well as training workshops for elementary school teachers in the production of didactic material and the use of new active methodologies, an attempt was made to motivate students in this return. With the use of conceptual and mental maps, crossword puzzles, word searches, questions and answers with low cost materials, as well as other strategies involving Digital Information and Communication Technologies, which produce Digital Learning Objects, to work on the themes covered in the programs of the scientific olympics, we sought to enhance the teaching and learning processes with the 296 students enrolled in the two olympiads, to promote scientific literacy both for students and teachers and for the community outside the school environment. The proposal was implemented in a public school in the city of Sapucaia (PA) during the year 2022 and the results achieved were promising.