Tratamento de água: uma proposta didática de contextualização no ensino de química

Abstract

Recognizing that schools play an essential role in raising awareness and sensitizing future generations, this work presents a didactic proposal that allows students to deepen their scientific knowledge about the chemistry of water and its importance for life. In light of the global water crisis, the objective is to explore a contextualized chemical approach to water treatment, highlighting the physicochemical processes of mixture separation involved and their relevance to environmental sustainability. The aim is to enhance students' understanding of these processes through chemical concepts, while also encouraging environmental awareness by integrating this knowledge with the contents of general and inorganic chemistry in elementary and high school education. The activities were developed with 40 students from two classes: one from the ninth grade of elementary school and another from the third year of high school at a public school in João Pessoa. The topics covered included concepts about mixtures and the processes of mixture separation applied in water treatment. The methodology consisted of a lecture followed by a video presentation illustrating the functioning of a water treatment plant. To reinforce learning, we conducted a discussion circle followed by a quiz, making the learning process more dynamic and interactive. As a data collection instrument, students answered a questionnaire. The adopted methodology sparked the students' interest in the topic, facilitating the teaching of mixture separation and promoting environmental awareness, which is crucial in the current context. Additionally, it contributed to the formation of individuals more conscious of the importance of water preservation for life on Earth.