Heating up the debate: analysis of controversial socio-scientific issues selected by undergraduates during visits to museums

Abstract

The approach of controversial Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI) and the relations between Science, Technology, Society and Environment (STSE) has been strongly recommended by research in science education. Through social, political, historical, economic and moral aspects, these issues can contribute to understanding the nature of scientific knowledge, favoring processes of scientific literacy and teacher training. Science museums, in turn, have also proved to be promising places for these discussions, as they add great potential in promoting scientific education that enhances STSE and SSI relations. This article analyzes the choice of themes and content by undergraduate students in Biological Sciences at University of São Paulo, when planning activities after visiting two science museums in São Paulo. This is a qualitative and exploratory research and involved planning out of school activities, student monitoring during visits, and, subsequently, analysis related to the activities produced, seeking to identify which contents were selected and how they articulate with STSE and SSI. Among the results, it was possible to identify themes that have the potential to heat up the debate of socioscientific controversies in the classroom and in museums, presenting scientific knowledge under construction and surrounded by social, moral, ethical, political, and historical factors. In addition, it was also possible to verify how the undergraduates build their activities, choosing topics beyond those present in the exhibitions and, at the same time, expanding the possibilities within what the exhibitions present.