The pilot plant for ethanol production as didactic resource in experimental classes at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), Campus Nova Cruz
Pilot plant; experimentation; inquiry activities; skills; chemistry technician.
The first ideas that motivated us for this study emerged since we realized that there was a potential didactic resource at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), Campus Nova Cruz, which is the pilot plant for ethanol production. We perceived the potential to use this equipment in several school subjects of the scientific-technological axis of the Chemistry Technical Course. However, this tool was rarely used in experimental classes at that institution. In order to understand the reasons for the lack of use of the pilot plant in classes, we initiated an interaction with the chemistry teachers at Nova Cruz Campus through an open questionnaire, approaching possible causes that hinder the use of the pilot plant as a teaching resource. After analyzing the responses, we found out the need to develop teaching material in order to support teachers to lead experimental classes at the pilot plant. In this perspective, through this mastering research, we aim to develop an experimental didactic sequence, centered on the theme of ethanol production, to promote the use of the IFRN Nova Cruz Campus pilot plant in experimental classes of the Chemistry Technical Course. We take as theoretical basis for the development of the didactic sequence, some assumptions of investigative experimentation and the development of skills and competences for the formation of chemistry technician. For data collection, we used standard instruments for qualitative research, such as questionnaires applied to students and interviews with the subject head professor. We also used an observation protocol and researcher's field notes during the activities application as a way to record student behavior. We observed that the proposal for the studied class promoted a significant development of some important procedural contents for the acquisition of skills and competences required of a Chemistry Technician. In addition, we noticed the motivation of the subject teacher to apply the sequence in the next classes and the potential for its use in other subjects.