SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE IN IDEPB AND ENEM

Abstract

This report describes the implementation of a Biology-centered, research-based pedagogical intervention linked to the limnological monitoring of the Coremas - Estevam Marinho Reservoir as a strategy to integrate the curriculum, foster scientific literacy, and improve standardized performance in IDEPB and ENEM. In 2016, under a severe water crisis in the Piranhas-Acu river basin, with the reservoir at approximately 2.3 percent of capacity in dead storage, field sampling points were established and campaigns conducted using a Van Dorn bottle and a Secchi disk, followed by laboratory analyses of pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and water transparency with pH meter, oxymeter, multiparameter probe, and bench infrastructure. The methodology included student team formation, monitor training, procedure standardization, and systematic data logging, leading to scientific writing, results discussion, and environmental education actions. Findings indicated signs of eutrophication in the Estevam Marinho volume (greenish water and low transparency), spatial variation between sampling points, and physico-chemical conditions consistent with reduced volume and diminished dilution capacity. In a complementary test, the electrical conductivity of two bottled-water brands (approx. 104.9 uS and 134.6 uS) was lower than that of school drinking-fountain water (approx. 397 uS), refuting the hypothesis of increased kidney-stone risk associated with bottled-water consumption. Educational impact included surpassing the IDEPB target (4.0) by achieving 4.3, alongside gains in student autonomy, mastery of techniques and scientific terminology, interdisciplinary integration, and strengthened student agency. We conclude that research driven by real-world problems, supported by laboratory infrastructure and active methodologies, effectively consolidates investigative competencies, bridges theory and practice, and contributes to improved educational indicators; scaling should include continuous monitoring, dissemination through publications, and institutional partnerships.