Method based on experimental practices to teach density in the 9th year of Elementary School of a public school in Alto Boa Vista-MT

Abstract

Most of the students find it difficult to understand the chemical concepts in Natural Science classes in the
last year of elementary school. In this sense, experiments can be allied to the educational process, as they
help students to understand theoretical concepts through practical activities. The present study aimed to
evaluate if the development of practical experiences contributed to the students' understanding of the
concept of density. This study reports a pedagogical intervention developed with 12 students from the 9th
Year of a public school in Alto Boa Vista-MT. The activities were carried out in the first semester of
2017. Before, however, it was verified the low income and the low participation of these students in the
classes, which required the planning of these pedagogical actions. In order to intervene in this reality, it
was proposed to perform experimental activities on density, which is one of the properties of the subject
addressed in this stage of schooling. To collect data, in addition to the participant observations recorded
in the logbook, a questionnaire containing 5 questions about the subject was used. This instrument was
applied in two moments: before and after the intervention. The collected data allow to affirm that the
experimentation contributes significantly to the understanding of the chemical concepts. Therefore, using
experimental activities is a viable way to present chemistry in a comprehensive and attractive way in
Elementary School.