Biotecnologia aplicada ao ensino de microbiologia: uma abordagem investigativa para alunos do ensino médio

Abstract

The teaching of microbiology, often associated solely with diseases, tends to generate limited interest among students, highlighting the need for pedagogical approaches that broaden this perception. This study aimed to promote a contextualized and positive understanding of the beneficial applications of microorganisms, using inquiry-based teaching as the central approach. This is a qualitative study, characterized as participant research, conducted with 24 students from the 2nd year of high school at Escola Cidadã Integral Estadual Bonifácio Saraiva de Moura, located in Monte Horebe, Paraíba, Brazil. The study was carried out over the course of 12 classes of 50 minutes each, between February and December 2025. The activities were organized into three investigative didactic sequences that compose the Educational Product of this research. Empirical material was produced through field notes in a research journal, photographic records, open-ended questionnaires, mind maps, and written productions, which were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. In the first sequence, students reorganized their ideas, replacing the initial conception of “microbe = disease” with “microbe = solution,” encompassing applications in health, the environment, agriculture, and industry. In the second sequence, students understood the fermentation process by associating carbon dioxide production with yeast metabolism and relating it to the production of bread and fermented beverages. In the third sequence, students expanded their initial understanding, moving from a limited view to recognizing the importance of microorganisms for environmental preservation and biotechnological applications. These results reinforce the effectiveness of inquiry-based methodology and the use of digital resources in promoting meaningful and contextualized learning. The final evaluation indicated that the activities were considered relevant for learning, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and motivation to study microbiology. The Educational Product presents the set of three didactic sequences, including objectives, contents, competencies and skills aligned with the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), resources, methods, and assessment instruments. It is adaptable to different school contexts, low-cost, and has high potential for classroom implementation.