BEES AS PEDAGOGICAL TOOL: FOCUS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN NON-FORMAL CONTEXTS

Abstract

This article describes the creation and implementation of a hands-on research activity on the importance of bees, carried out at the Researcher Apprentice Center (CAP) with students from the 2nd grade of public schools in Baixada Santista. The activity was developed in a non-formal education context, aiming to combine environmental education and science teaching, with a focus on the development of scientific procedural skills, using materials such as informative banners, magnifying glasses, honey samples and a didactic hive. The 20–30-minute proposal combined initial problematization, introductory dialogue, observation and analysis of various materials and sensory analysis of different honeys. The methodology involved a qualitative and quantitative approach, characterized as a case study. Questionnaires were applied before the activity to assess the prior knowledge of the 86 students. The results indicated that the practical activity aroused interest and engagement, and promoted the exercise of skills such as observation, comparison and communication. It is concluded that the research activity was effective in promoting learning and the development of skills.