Abstract

PEREIRA, Zilene Moreira; THIENGO, Silvana Carvalho  and  MONTEIRO, Simone. THE AFRICAN SNAIL IN SCHOOL CONTEXT: THE PERCEPTIONS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE HELMINTHOLOGICAL FAUNA STUDY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SNAIL IN BARRA DO PIRAÍ (RJ). Ens. Pesqui. Educ. Ciênc. [online]. 2012, vol.14, n.3, pp.275-288. ISSN 1983-2117.  https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21172012140317.

The study investigates elementary students' perception of the species Achatina fulica (African snail) and the risks this mollusc may pose to the population of Barra do Pirai - in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The research involved questionnaires, focus groups and field observations, besides A. fulica specimens parasitological analysis. The results indicated the presence of snails infected with nematodes of medical and veterinary interest in the locality. The students have a negative perception of the snail, and there is great difference between their perceptions and scientific knowledge. Based on the contributions of the perceptions study and of Meaningful Learning Theory, guidelines are suggested so that strategies for teaching the content regarding the African snail at school environment can be developed.

Keywords : Students' perception; african snail; science education..

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )