Environmental education for Lower Secondary School

development of an application for environmental pollution classes

Abstract

Environmental pollution stands out as one of the most urgent and visible socio-environmental issues in our daily lives. This phenomenon is frequently associated with economic activities on a global scale. In this context, Environmental Education plays a fundamental role in addressing these issues critically and reflectively, with emphasis on the critical approach, which seeks to deepen the understanding of power relations and socio-environmental conflicts. Additionally, technology has become an essential tool for enhancing learning and stimulating new teaching methods, making it a promising strategy for Science Education. This study investigates the development of the Gaia em Alerta application as a tool for teaching Science and Environmental Education, focusing on environmental pollution and fostering students’ critical thinking. The qualitative research was conducted in a public school in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, with 9th-grade students, using the application, which is already available on Google Play, to explore concepts and approaches related to Environmental Pollution. The implementation of the application demonstrated its pedagogical potential, stimulating critical reflections and expanding students’ understanding of the topic. The word cloud analysis revealed that some students began to relate pollution to structural factors, such as improper consumption and industry, aligning with the perspective of Critical Environmental Education. Despite these advances, there is a need to deepen discussions on sustainable solutions, reinforcing the importance of technology in building dynamic and contextualized learning experiences.