The School and the formation of pro-ecological concepts: An investigation at the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte
Environmental psychology. Environmental education. School. Pro-ecological concepts.
Human actions on the environment affect ecosystems and put future generations at risk, having motivated researchers and politicians to debate environmental sustainability. In this context, the thesis is based on knowledge from Environmental Psychology (EP) and Environmental Education (EE), having as its theme the contribution of the school environment to the formation of pro-ecological concepts by high school students. It was developed based on two starting questions: How to promote and expand students' socio-environmental responsibility and foster pro-ecological behaviors? How to combine EP and EE in institutional programs aimed at the formation of the ecological subject? In view of these questions, the hypotheses are that: (i) students bring with them previous knowledge that needs to be understood and re-signified by the school; (ii) teaching strategies that combine scientific knowledge with students' everyday knowledge can provide the replacement and/or acquisition of pro-ecological concepts; (iii) the combination of formal EE educational practice with knowledge of person-environment interaction arising from EP can feed recommendations for school performance in this field. Therefore, the main objective of the research was to understand the role of the school environment in the formation/appropriation of pro-ecological concepts and in the socio-environmental awareness of students. The empirical work took place at the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN) unit of São Gonçalo do Amarante. Methodologically, a qualitative-quantitative investigation was carried out using a multimethod approach, through questionnaires, interviews and conversation circles. As results, the study traces a diagnosis that reveals students' perceptions and behaviors in relation to the environmental theme and the position of teachers in the face of obstacles faced in the formation of students as ecological subjects. The thesis concludes by outlining possible contributions of EP and EE to address the main problem detected in study.