A experimentação no ensino de física: investigações em eletricidade em uma escola pública

Abstract

In this work, we share the impressions/results about experiments involving the concepts of electricity using the Tesla Coil and the Van de Graaff Generator, carried out in Physics classes, with 3rd year high school students, at Colégio Estadual Villa Lobos, in Aparecida de Goiania, GO. High school students often have limited understanding of Classical Physics phenomena taught both in experimental and theoretical classes. As consequence, they normally have difficulties in correlating Physics concepts exposed in the classroom with everyday situations. Thus, the pedagogical strategy used in this project consisted of encouraging engagement and active participation of students in experimental classes with the Tesla Coil and the Van de Graaff Generator, valuing above all students’ general and prior knowledge. This generates engagement in the educational environment and demonstrates the deliberate insertion of Physics concepts into the students' routine, which minimizes the rupture between regular and school life. Moreover, focusing on the formation of ethical, reflective, and humanized subjects, we sought to establish methodologies, that are consistent with the propositions of David Ausubel. In his “Theory of Meaningful Learning”, Ausubel argues a training in which students can recognize senses and meanings about learnings acquired beyond the school walls as the only real possibility of conceiving a humanized education. We found a significant increase in the understanding of Physics concepts using experimental classes, in addition to overall higher student participation, engagement and enthusiasm in dynamic classes.