Scientific investigations and practices associated to osteometabolic disturbes for high schools

Abstract

Science is the acquisition of knowledge about nature and human activities. Research practice for high school students is a dynamic and effective educational resource supported in research. The objective of this work was to bring these students close to research activities and awaken the spirit of investigation through knowledge of methodologies for the study of osteometabolic disorders and their applications for the population, by sharing knowledge, in the form of outreach activity. Schools of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo were invited to visit the Morphological Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto and Bioengineering Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto. Forty students knew the infrastructure of these laboratories, equipment management, learned about the stages of the research and the ethical issues associated to animals’ use. These activities were congratulated regarding to students exchange and the supplied explanations, simple and clear, even when dealing with technical issues of bioengineering and health sciences. Students reported that they enjoyed the visit, mainly by the opportunity to handle the equipment and see how scientific research works. The developed activities represent a mechanism to strengthen the link between the university and society, showing that the scientific research is a transforming agent of social conditions.