Concepções e práticas na construção do saber sobre o meio ambiente

Abstract

The present work aims especially to study at the process of developing an environmental awareness among schoolchildren of elementary schools. The study was carried out in three schools located in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where we tried to identify the actions involving teachers and pupils which attempt to sensitise the milieu to the study of the environment. The questions related to the environment may be perceived in different ways, according to each one’s life standard. The passing of knowledge depends on the level of interest and each one’s perceptions of environmental issues. Environmental studies still are apart from the curriculum, as environmental education activities do not happen during school hours. The development of environmental awareness is still too recent to bring about more meaningful changes in the educational system.