Banca de DEFESA: RODRIGO DA SILVA DE SOUZA

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : RODRIGO DA SILVA DE SOUZA
DATE: 24/08/2026
TIME: 09:30
LOCAL: online
TITLE:

ROBERT HOOKE: A BIOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEW

KEY WORDS:

History of Science; Scientific Biographies; Teacher Education; Robert Hooke; Science Teaching

PAGES: 190
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Educação
SUMMARY:

This research investigates the potential contributions of a scientific biography of Robert Hooke (1635–1703)—developed in light of the new historiography of science—to the initial and continuing education of Natural Science teachers. This biographical study, which serves as an Educational Product, is grounded in the recognition of the History and Philosophy of Science as a didactic strategy capable of humanizing education and fostering a critical view of how scientific knowledge is constructed. It counters reductionist conceptions that portray science as neutral, cumulative, and free of controversy, or as the product of geniuses operating in isolation from their surrounding contexts. The choice of Robert Hooke as the subject is justified by his significant contributions across various scientific fields, as well as his relative obscurity—a state largely resulting from intellectual disputes, social factors, and the nature of scientific practice in his era. Developing a biographical account of Hooke aligns with the aim of recovering figures often overlooked in the history of science and holds potential for advancing the understanding of science as a collective, social, and human endeavor. The biography, created through a study of Hooke’s own works and secondary sources in the history of science, was presented via an online extension short course featuring a recorded introductory video and an individual reading activity. While the course targeted pre-service and K-12 teachers, it was also open to the general public, given the broad appeal of the subject matter. To assess the Educational Product's potential impact, diagnostic questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention. Data analysis followed Bardin’s Content Analysis method, enabling a qualitative examination of the responses. The results revealed limited prior knowledge regarding Robert Hooke, generally confined to the Law of Elasticity and the concept of the cell. Following participation in the short course, an expansion was observed in the references drawn upon regarding Robert Hooke’s career and scientific contributions, alongside an acknowledgment of issues such as the historical marginalization of his legacy, scientific controversies, and the social and institutional dimensions of knowledge production. It is concluded that Hooke’s scientific biography served as a valuable educational resource for both initial and continuing teacher training, helping to broaden historical knowledge, foster a more critical perspective on science, and highlight the educational potential of scientific biographies grounded in the new historiography.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1645641 - JULIANA MESQUITA HIDALGO FERREIRA
Interna - 2321499 - AUTA STELLA DE MEDEIROS GERMANO
Externo ao Programa - 2646069 - ALEXSANDRO PEREIRA LIMA - UFRNExterno à Instituição - WILSON ELMER NASCIMENTO - UFTM