Issues related to natural resources have been on the agenda for a long time, and conscious consumption of electricity is one of them. In most countries, the generation of electricity does not grow at the same rate as it increases its consumption, which creates an uncertain scenario for the future. Project "ABC of Scientific Education - energy and sustainable society", from Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) supported by Fiotec, discusses the concern for the energy spent in daily life of the population of Rio de Janeiro.

By means of interactive sequences, the idea is to enable the perception of participating students on energy consumption and waste, besides raising awareness about the possible use of natural energy in certain situations. The work involves about 600 participants and is part of "ABC of Scientific Education - Hands On/RJ".

Using lamps
Concern about energy consumption will be addressed by comparing three types of lamps: incandescent, fluorescent and LED (Light EmittingDiode).To raise the awareness of purposes of a sustainable society, a handmade lamp with use of natural light will be created in due course.

The results of the studies will be published in scientific papers and presented at the National Meeting of Research in Science Teaching, held in Águas de Lindóia, São Paulo.

Hands-on
Program "ABC of Scientific Education - Hands On" was implemented in Brazil in 2001, from an agreement between the Academies of Science of France and Brazil, whose partners are CDCC/USP, Scientific Station/USP and Fiocruz, in addition to Municipal and State Department of Education. Its main purpose is to introduce science education systematically in primary education of the public network, enabling teachers to teach science in the classroom with an emphasis on experimentation, linking the discussion of science issues to the development of scientific knowledge and oral and writing expression.

Danielle Grynszpan coordinates the program in Rio de Janeiro through IOC/Fiocruz. When started, the project covered 18 municipalities and included the participation of high school teachers of biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics. However, its scope is much extensive nowadays.

"We managed to create at Fiocruz a specialization course on science education and citizenship. We work with various sciences, which enables us to address cross-cutting issues such as science and technology, society and the environment. If our students become scientists, that’s good; if they become citizens, much better," said the coordinator in an interview conducted by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, at the 10th National Seminar ABC on Science Education, held in late 2015 in Bahia.  

*With information from IOC/Fiocruz and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences