Planet earth or planet water? – An approach to responsible research and innovation within the scope of polar research with students from the second cycle of basic education

Abstract

The IRRESISTIBLE project emerges with the purpose of involving teachers, sudents and the public in the process of Responsible Research and Innovation through the implementation of the modules designed by Project Learning Communities, involving students in the development of exhibitions on cutting-edge scientific issues. These exhibitions, seen as education initiatives, will be the driving force to engage teachers and students in community actions on controversial social and environmental issues, encouraging the involvement of others. The present research aims to identify educational potential in the construction of
educational materials, skills and competences, developed through research, selection of information and subsquent construction of educational materials (artfacts) in Basic Education Science to assess the impact of the interactive exhibition built in the school community. Data were collected through two questionnaires. Content and Statistical analysis was carried out as well as content analysis to the artifacts built by students.
The results demonstrate that the construction of artifacts to create an interactive exhibition enables the acquisition and development of skills needed in promoting scientific literacy, in the acquisition of items of knowledge related to earth’s polar regions and the implications of the environmental consequences both local and global. In general, the school community considered that the exhibition promoted reflection and interaction among participants.