Ensino investigativo sobre alimentação saudável no ambiente escolar

Abstract

Healthy eating plays a fundamental role in health and, especially, in students’ academic performance. Therefore, this research aimed to address food education in Biology teaching, exploring the composition of food and its relationship with the human body in order to raise students’ awareness of the importance of balanced dietary choices. The main objective of this work was to implement an inquiry-based instructional sequence on healthy eating, with a focus on understanding the chemical composition of food and contributing to possible changes in students’ eating habits. A qualitative approach was adopted, using participatory research as the methodological strategy, which involved data collection through questionnaires, interviews, and classroom observations. The study was conducted at the Creusa de Freitas Cavalcanti High School, located in Macaparana, Pernambuco, with 38 students from a third-year high school class. The stages of the instructional sequence included problematization, debates, consultation of reference materials from specialized organizations, a lecture delivered by a health professional, and bibliographic research on the functions and properties of biomolecules. Additionally, students carried out interviews with residents and students from different sociocultural contexts, broadening their understanding of eating practices. The project culminated in the production of an educational newspaper, which was later distributed to the school community. The results indicated that the inquiry-based methodology fostered student protagonism, expanding their understanding of the relationship between biomolecules and nutrition. Moreover, student engagement promoted a practical and meaningful approach, encouraging reflection on more conscious dietary choices. It was concluded that the implemented strategy strengthened the understanding of academic content and fostered positive changes in participants’ eating habits.