The school and the formation of pro-ecological concepts: an investigation with students from IFRN.
Environmental psychology; Environmental education; Escola; High school; Pro-ecological concepts;
Human actions on the environment have affected ecosystems and put future generations at risk, having motivated researchers and politicians around the world to promote debates about environmental sustainability. In this context, the thesis under development cuts across two emerging fields: Environmental Psychology (EP) and Environmental Education (EE). Environmental Psychology studies the interrelations between the individual and the physical and social context in which he/she lives, investigating perceptions, cognitions, evaluations, representations, and behaviors in relation to the environment. EE, in turn, focuses on the educational process in this field, configuring itself as an important tool for raising public awareness, since it presents proposals capable of provoking attitudinal and behavioral changes. Focusing on the intersection between these fields, this research is based on the school's responsibility in promoting the scientific and practical development of students. The theme addressed is the contribution of the school environment to the formation of pro-ecological concepts by high school students. It is developed on the basis of three starting questions: How can school influence the construction of pro-ecological concepts by students? What types of activities developed at school can promote and enhance students' social and environmental responsibility and foster pro-ecological behaviors? What aspects of the school environment (physical and social) stand out in this process? In view of these questions, we defend as main hypothesis that, in the school environment, the participation of students in practical activities involving ecological issues promoted by the school can awaken in them the importance of environmental conservation, encouraging individual and collective responsibility for environmental preservation. The research aims to investigate the students' perception of their relationship with the school environment experienced in the institution where they study, with emphasis on the school's contribution to the construction of pro-ecological concepts. The empirical work will take place at the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), São Gonçalo do Amarante campus. Methodologically, the research will have a qualitative-quantitative characteristic and will use a multi-method approach, through the application of questionnaires and the organization of a conversation circle - planned to take place remotely, due to the pandemic of COVID-19. As a result, it is expected that the hypothesis will be proven and that a wide debate on the theme will take place in the school environment under study. This qualification exam presents two theoretical chapters developed and the methodological details of the proposal, preparing it for submission to the Research Ethics Committee.