THE USE OF PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING LEARNING IN SCIENCE
Keywords:
Field Trips, Marine Biology, Public SchoolAbstract
Practical activities play a crucial role in fostering students’ interest and learning in science, particularly when they involve investigation and problem-solving. Activities such as environmental exploration, experimentation, and observation are fundamental components of science education. The fact that these opportunities are often virtually absent from primary school curricula is concerning—especially considering their importance in shaping students’ first encounters with science. This study aims to evaluate the learning outcomes of first-year high school students in marine and estuarine zoology through a field lesson conducted on a beach in the Costa Branca region (Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil). Initially, 12 questionnaires were administered to randomly selected students from first-year classes. Subsequently, a 40-minute field class on marine zoology was conducted on Baixa Grande Beach, located in the municipality of Areia Branca, RN, followed by a second application of the same questionnaire. In general, students initially demonstrated limited knowledge about the coastal environment—a result that is not surprising given that, despite living in a seaside town, they rarely experience science instruction outside the classroom. Nevertheless, even after a single lesson, there was a noticeable improvement in their responses. The reapplication of the questionnaire revealed a significant increase in the accuracy and depth of their answers, indicating meaningful learning gains resulting from the field activity.
