Laboratory Teaching for Natural Science Education

This course aims to provide the essential skills for training teachers capable of implementing active teaching methodologies based on experimental inquiry within the context of Natural Sciences. The growing need to develop scientific literacy and critical thinking in secondary school students requires an approach that moves beyond mere rote learning, prioritizing direct experience and the autonomous construction of knowledge.

Key Thematic Areas
The topics covered may include, for example:

Mineralogy: Laboratory activities and the observation of rock materials used in urban contexts as complementary activities based on direct experience for teaching elements of mineralogy and petrography.

Paleontology: Paleontology holds a powerful fascination for young audiences, serving as an excellent vehicle for understanding evolution, organismal diversity, deep time, and the scientific method. The course leverages this interest by proposing laboratory activities and teaching strategies aimed at the hands-on learning of these fundamental topics.

Botany: Through morphological and functional traits shaped by the environment and interactions with other species, plants provide countless insights into biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The course explores different habitats through plant ecology and adaptations.

Zoology: Zoology allows for the live experimentation and observation of fundamental biological processes such as development, nutrition, competition, and survival. The course offers methods to deepen the understanding of organismal life and ecological interactions, while simultaneously addressing the practical and ethical aspects of using animals in the classroom.

Chemistry: Given the innate interdisciplinarity of chemistry, the course aims to provide the tools necessary to design and organize effective laboratory experiences for learning the core principles of chemistry (the nature and structure of matter and the transformation of matter).