Continuing education on Paleontology: the experience with the project “Workshop on Paleontology: fossils inside the classroom”

Abstract

The Natural Sciences are essential in the education of citizens aware of the reality in which they live. In this context, Paleontology has an important in basic education, given its multidisciplinary nature, what enables the integrated understanding of the events and phenomena that changed natural environments during the geological history of our planet. In addition, its teaching promotes the awareness of the importance of the fossils as public patrimony, essential for their preservation. Even though current technology allows quick and easy access to information, the selection of subjects and practical activities is often inadequate, as most teachers do not have expertise in paleontology. With this scenario in mind, we created the “Workshop on Paleontology: fossils inside the classroom”, culminating in a continuing education workshop, aiming to promote better education of Palentology in schools (basic education). The project already held two workshops, in which several theoretical-practical activities were carried out with teachers and future educators of the public-school network of Ribeirão Preto and Jaboticabal cities, possible multipliers of scientific and patrimonial knowledge within the classroom. After the second workshop, a questionnaire was conducted with students and aimed to assess the course and improve upcoming workshops.