Geoscience, Technical schools, Geology, Iguape, Ribeira Valley
Abstract
The environment is assuming every day a greater importance for all communities of the planet, as a consequence of the perception of the effects of human actions on nature. This importance results in the need of good quality teaching of Geoscience subjects at all academic levels, in order to develop a conscious exercise of citizenship as well as to prepare for professional activity in this field. There are many high-school level technical courses in the State of São Paulo that offer Geoscience subjects in the curriculum, and in some courses these are core subjects. The contents of the subjects are sometimes not planned by people with professional training in Geosciences. One of the courses having a large Geoscience content is the Environmental Technician course. A survey of the present condition of the courses at the Paula Souza State Technological Education Center revealed that a great number of skills have to be developed in the available time for the course, that the subject contents are disorganized, and that there is a lack of conditions for efficient teaching and learning, in spite of the efforts of faculty and staff. A strict study of the curriculum as regards skills and subject programs is recommended, together with the preparation of teaching materials, teacher training programs, and the provision of adequate conditions to allow schools to fulfill their functions of teaching and extension.
