Activities in a science centers: reasons given by educators, their conceptions and articulations with schools

Abstract

This study investigates the reasons why different educators plan activities with their students in a science center. In addition, it sought to: a) analyze the conceptions these educators had about the role/function of a science center; b) understand, based on what the educators said, how they participated in it during the visit to such facility; c) identify whether educators attempt to articulate the actions conducted in the school context with the activities in the science center. It is an exploratory and qualitative study. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with 15 educators after they had taken their students to a science center located in Grande Vitoria area, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Results have shown that the main reason given by educators for planning the visits with their students to the science center in question is the possibility of linking theory, which is discussed and taught in the classroom, to the practical situations involving demonstrations/experimentations, which are the key mediation elements in this type of educational facility. Such results point to a need to provide educators with reflection/training so that they can rethink the educational potentials of science centers and possible with the educational practices taking place in schools.