A percepção do professor de Biologia e a sua formação: a Educação Ambiental em questão

O presente artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa cujo objetivo foi identificar as percepções dos professores de Biologia do município de Piracicaba, SP, e dos alunos concluintes de um curso de licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas em relação à presença da Educação Ambiental em sua formação inicial, a fim de discutir a inserção da temática na universidade em geral e, especificamente, na licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas. Os resultados indicam que o professor de Biologia ainda necessita de uma formação mais crítica em relação à educação ambiental e que, numa perspectiva complexa, essa formação necessita ser tratada de forma mais rigorosa na universidade e nas licenciaturas em Ciências Biológicas para que os profissionais formados possam atuar, efetivamente, na formação cidadã para uma sociedade mais sustentável.

Avaliação de indicadores de impactos ambientais no perímetro irrigado Cruzeta-Região semi-árida do RN

Environmental impacts are defined as the processes of social and ecological changes caused by nuisance ambient. In agriculture are diverse, and the intensive use of land and inappropriate agricultural practices causes negative effect on the environment besides affecting crop productivity and quality of life of man. So this study was objective to analyze parameters indicators of environmental impacts in the Cruzeta the Discrict Irrigation. During the period July 2007 to March 2008 samples were collected in lot 01 and 02 of the irrigation district. The monitoring was conducted in four sampling points, three (3) located in the irrigation channels and 1 (one) located in a cacimbão. Were monitored pH, CE, STD, SS, NO3-, OD, DT, PST, RAS, CT, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+ and heavy metals. Analysis was performed, soil fertility, determining the infiltration rate, moisture content of soil and flow measurement. The results showed that the parameters considered most effective in evaluating the indicators of environmental impacts were: Suspended solid, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and Coliform termotelerantes. The concentrations of nitrate were below the limit established by CONAMA (2005). High levels of STD were found in the point P4. The risk of salinity in cacimbão Lot 02, the water was classified as Class II, or medium risk of salinity in the remaining points was classified as Class I. The iron and aluminum were found high concentrations in four sampling points independent of the dry or rainy. On the ground, found high levels of phosphorus in both samples collected in the batch 01, as the lot 02. The pH levels found in samples of soil, the soil can be classified as neutral and moderate alkalinity. The high infiltration rate obtained in the tests performed in lots 01 and 02 indicated the high permeability of soil at these points

A utilização de espaços de educação não formal por professores de biologia de Natal-RN

La práctica educativa en espacios no formales es un recurso didáctico catalizador de motivación e interese, tanto para alumnos como para los profesores. El crecimiento de los espacios no formales coincide con los cambios recientes en el mundo en los campos sociales, políticos, económicos y culturales. Como una de las consecuencias de esos cambios, tenemos el crecimiento de otras instancias difusoras de conocimientos rompiendo, así, la hegemonía de la escuela. De esa forma, en este trabajo busqué investigar la frecuencia y las formas de utilización de los espacios de educación no formal por profesores de biología, de la enseñanza media, de la Ciudad de Natal (RN). Procuré también, identificar cuales son los espacios de educación no-formal que son utilizados; describir los recursos y las acciones desarrolladas en eses espacios; identificar la existencia o no de interese y la importancia que atribuyen a los espacios para la enseñanza de biología, además de divulgar los espacios utilizados como recursos didácticos. Para alcanzar estos objetivos fueron hechas observaciones de los espacios, aplicados cuestionarios y realizadas entrevistas con los profesores que realizan actividades junto a tales instituciones. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó tanto el abordaje cuantitativo como cualitativa. Nos basamos en referenciales teóricos de autores que buscan establecer las relaciones entre diferentes modalidades de educación para mejor comprender lo que es la educación no-formal y su trayectoria histórica. Constaté que los profesores utilizan los espacios de educación no-formales, aun la cantidad de visitas al año sea reducida, en virtud de varias dificultades por ellos apuntadas, tales como el transporte, la falta de recursos financieros y de apoyo para viabilizar la visita, entre otros. Verifiqué también que los profesores demostraron un alto interese por los espacios no-formales y apuntaron como principales justificativas para considerarlos importantes para la enseñanza de la biología la posibilidad de establecer conexiones entre la teoría y la practica, además de la complementariedad

Atividades experimentais no ensino de biologia em escolas públicas do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil: caracterização geral e concepção de professores

Recent research has revealed that the majority of Biology teachers believe the practice of experimental activities as a didactical means would be the solution for the improvement of the Biology teaching-learning process. There are, however, studies which signal the lack of efficiency in such practice lessons as far as building scientific knowledge is concerned. It is also said that despite the enthusiasm on the teachers‟ part, such classes are rarely taught in high school. Several studies point pedagogical difficulties as well as nonexistence of a minimal infrastructure needed in laboratories as cause of low frequency in experimental activities. The poor teacher performance in terms of planning and development of classes; the large number of students per class; lack of financial stimulus for teachers are other reasons to be taken into account among others, in which can also be included difficulties of epistemological nature. That means an unfavorable eye of the teacher towards experimental activities. Our study aimed to clarify if such scenario is generalized in high schools throughout the state of Rio Grande do Norte Brazil. During our investigation a sample of twenty teaching institutions were used. They were divided in two groups: in the first group, five IFRN- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte schools. Two of those in Natal, and the other three from the country side. The second group is represented by fifteen state schools belonging to the Natal metropolitan area. The objectives of the research were to label schools concerning laboratory facilities; to identify difficulties pointed by teachers when performing experiment classes, and to become familiar with the conceptions of the teachers in regarding biology experiment classes. To perform such task, a questionnaire was used as instrument of data collecting. It contained multiple choice, essay questions and a semi-structured interview with the assistance of a voice recorder. The data analysis and the in loco observation allowed the conclusion that the federal schools do present better facilities for the practice of experimental activities when compared to state schools. Another aspect pointed is the fact that teachers of federal schools have more time available for planning the experiments; they are also better paid and are given access a career development, which leads to better salaries. All those advantages however, do not show a significantly higher frequency regarding the development of experiments when compared to state school teachers. Both teachers of federal and state schools pointed infra-structure problems such as the availability of reactants, equipments and consumption supplies as main obstacle to the practice of experiments in biology classes. Such fact leads us to conclude that maybe there are other problems not covered by the questionnaire such as poor ability to plan and execute experimental activities. As far as conceptions about experimental activities, it was verified in the majority of the interviewees a inductive-empiric point of view of science possibly inherited during their academic formation and such point of view reflected on the way they plan and execute experiments with students

Caracterização da área de Ensino de Biologia e Ciências no mestrado profissional da UFRN a partir das dissertações

The deployment of master professionals in Mathematics and Science Teaching by CAPES provided an interesting perspective, involving institutional incentive to upgrade teacher training in this modality. In this sense, the objective was to map the profile of the candidates in the Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics UFRN (PPGECNM), develop a database with specific descriptors for dissertations and research the group creation biology research and dissertations produced by graduate students in the Master course. This thesis has three threads, where the first is entitled: "The teaching of science as part of research: emergency, improvement and current reflections", giving a brief description of the creation of graduate studies and the emergence of Brazil in Science education. The second topic: "Professional Masters in Teaching of Natural Sciences and Mathematics-UFRN: candidate profile the biological ', shows the general characteristics of PPGECNM-UFRN and who are the candidates seeking the biological area of the Graduate Program. The third topic. "The construction and consolidation of the research group in biology education in PPGECNM-UFRN", a survey was made of data on the creation of the research group in biology education from the analysis of academic productions of teachers and masters graduates this Masters course, for those involved, some additional interviews about the experience in training in biology education. Data used in these investigations related to these students correspond to the technical product to be used in other studies profile teachers /dissertations from the PPGECNM / UFRN. Research shows that: the existence of a larger number of postgraduate courses in the field of Science Education provides greater productivity in academic research on the subject, the emergence of a research group on education in biology, tied to a post degree in education, is an attraction to strengthen lines of research in science education by teachers researchers in other disciplines, the candidates seeking permanent area for research in biology education signals the importance of this investment because if shows the need to search for the continuing education of practicing teachers, demands with interests in investigations from real problems from school

Trabalhos prático-experimentais no ensino da biologia: Uma análise dos livros didáticos de Biologia aprovados no PNLD/2012

El trabajo práctico experimental en la educación en Ciencias y en el contexto de la enseñanza de la Biología es un objetivo clave. Teniendo en cuenta la influencia de los libros de texto en la actividad profesional de docentes, interesado en este estudio para caracterizar la orientación de este tipo de materiales, para el trabajo práctico experimental y el uso de la medición en esta actividad. Para ello analizaron las ocho colecciones de libros de Biología aprobado en PNLD en 2012. La investigación es de naturaleza descriptiva e interpretativa y de recogida de datos ha sido elegida por el método de análisis de contenido (BARDIN, 2002). El análisis de los trabajos práctico experimentales buscó caracterizar su naturaleza epistemológica, concepción de la ciencia implícita, conceptual, tipología, contenido conceptual de Biología utilizado, cuántos implican medidas, y cómo se utiliza en este contexto según el procedimiento general para medir propuesto por Núñez y Silva (2008). Los trabajo práctico experimental ha sugerido una epistemología de la enseñanza conceptual, carácter racionalista en su mayoría y dominada por las actividades del tipo de ejercicio práctico, a necesidad de medir está presente en una minoría de estos y se se utiliza el procedimiento general de medición de forma parcial e implícito en la mayoría de los trabajos prático experimentales. Por lo tanto, proponemos en este actividades de estudio a desarrollar una guía de análisis de los trabajo práctico experimentales propuesto en los libros de texto de Biología

Ensino por investigação: contribuições de um curso de formação continuada para a prática de professores de ciências naturais e biologia

Normally initial teacher training has not been sufficient to provide all the tools for an updated and efficient teaching practice. It is presented here one of the ways of working the completion of the initial training through a course of continuing education. This course is based on inquiry teaching which is considered an important teaching strategy for science education. This kind of teaching enables improvement of students reasoning and cognitive skills, the cooperation among them, the understanding of the nature of scientific work, and the motivation to think about the relationship between science, technology, society and environment. For this dissertation a course of continuing education based on this approach was followed in order to evaluate which contributions it can bring to the teaching practice. The course was followed based on three stages: on the first there was a questionnaire and an informal interview; next it happened through participant observation with audio and visual aid; the third stage happened through semi structured interview. The collected information was analyzed based on Content Analysis. An inquiry teaching pedagogical material was produced for the course including some examples and applications of this approach. The aim of the material is that it can be a support for the teachers after de course. The results allowed seeing that the course was very useful, different from the traditional and the teachers that put the approach to use found it to be very positive. Thus it can be said that some of the teachers who participated will try again to apply it, try to contextualize more the teaching situations with the students day to day life, as well make them more active and critic. We can also gather from the study, that the inquiry teaching is a very different tool from what the teacher was taught and is accustomed to use and the theoretical comprehension, acceptance and practice change is a complicated process and demands time

Relacionamento de diferentes domínios da atividade física habitual com indicadores de risco cardiovascular em adultos jovens do sexo masculino

Objectives: To analyze different physical activities domains in healthy adults and correlate with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: The sample was composed by 32 Physical Education undergraduate students, with mean age of 22.6 years old. Adiposity was assessed by waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance. Additionally, fast glucose (10-12 hours), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were assessed. Physical activity level was assessed by questionnaire (Baecke et al., 1982). Results: sports activities and leisure time were not related with cardiovascular risk factors. However, job activities were negatively related with %BF, SBP and DBP. Conclusion: Different physical activity domains should be considered when analyzing its associations with health indicators.

Indicadores cardiovasculares em repouso e durante um teste incremental em jovens do sexo masculino

O presente estudo comparou valores de glicemia, frequência cardíaca em repouso e durante exercício, além da composição corporal entre hipertensos e normotensos. A amostra foi composta por 32 jovens do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 22,6 anos. Inicialmente, aferiu-se a pressão arterial, para divisão em dois grupos: hipertensos e normotensos. Posteriormente foram mensurados, glicemia em jejum, impedância bioelétrica, antropometria, e a frequência cardíaca no repouso, durante o teste de esforço máximo e na fase de recuperação. A análise estatística foi composta pelo teste t- Student e análise de variância para medidas repetidas two-way, entre os grupos. O valor de significância adotado foi p = 0,05. Os dados analisados mostraram que indivíduos hipertensos apresentam maiores índices metabólicos e valores hemodinâmicos do que indivíduos normotensos, sendo estes indicadores de risco cardiovascular.

Indicadores de alteração hidrológica no Alto Rio Paraná: intervenções humanas e implicações na dinâmica do ambiente fluvial

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Indicadores de cálcio e de voltagem codificados geneticamente na detecção de potenciais de ação e inputs sinápticos em cultura de neurônios hipocampais

Recently, genetically encoded optical indicators have emerged as noninvasive tools of high spatial and temporal resolution utilized to monitor the activity of individual neurons and specific neuronal populations. The increasing number of new optogenetic indicators, together with the absence of comparisons under identical conditions, has generated difficulty in choosing the most appropriate protein, depending on the experimental design. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to compare three recently developed reporter proteins: the calcium indicators GCaMP3 and R-GECO1, and the voltage indicator VSFP butterfly1.2. These probes were expressed in hippocampal neurons in culture, which were subjected to patchclamp recordings and optical imaging. The three groups (each one expressing a protein) exhibited similar values of membrane potential (in mV, GCaMP3: -56 ±8.0, R-GECO1: -57 ±2.5; VSFP: -60 ±3.9, p = 0.86); however, the group of neurons expressing VSFP showed a lower average of input resistance than the other groups (in Mohms, GCaMP3: 161 ±18.3; GECO1-R: 128 ±15.3; VSFP: 94 ±14.0, p = 0.02). Each neuron was submitted to current injections at different frequencies (10 Hz, 5 Hz, 3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, and 0.7 Hz) and their fluorescence responses were recorded in time. In our study, only 26.7% (4/15) of the neurons expressing VSFP showed detectable fluorescence signal in response to action potentials (APs). The average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained in response to five spikes (at 10 Hz) was small (1.3 ± 0.21), however the rapid kinetics of the VSFP allowed discrimination of APs as individual peaks, with detection of 53% of the evoked APs. Frequencies below 5 Hz and subthreshold signals were undetectable due to high noise. On the other hand, calcium indicators showed the greatest change in fluorescence following the same protocol (five APs at 10 Hz). Among the GCaMP3 expressing neurons, 80% (8/10) exhibited signal, with an average SNR value of 21 ±6.69 (soma), while for the R-GECO1 neurons, 50% (2/4) of the neurons had signal, with a mean SNR value of 52 ±19.7 (soma). For protocols at 10 Hz, 54% of the evoked APs were detected with GCaMP3 and 85% with R-GECO1. APs were detectable in all the analyzed frequencies and fluorescence signals were detected from subthreshold depolarizations as well. Because GCaMP3 is the most likely to yield fluorescence signal and with high SNR, some experiments were performed only with this probe. We demonstrate that GCaMP3 is effective in detecting synaptic inputs (involving Ca2+ influx), with high spatial and temporal resolution. Differences were also observed between the SNR values resulting from evoked APs, compared to spontaneous APs. In recordings of groups of cells, GCaMP3 showed clear discrimination between activated and silent cells, and reveals itself as a potential tool in studies of neuronal synchronization. Thus, our results indicate that the presently available calcium indicators allow detailed studies on neuronal communication, ranging from individual dendritic spines to the investigation of events of synchrony in neuronal networks genetically defined. In contrast, studies employing VSFPs represent a promising technology for monitoring neural activity and, although still to be improved, they may become more appropriate than calcium indicators, since neurons work on a time scale faster than events of calcium may foresee

Impacto do Programa de Saúde da Família sobre indicadores de saúde bucal na população de Natal -RN

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Family Health Program (FHP) on a number of oral health indicators in the population of Natal, Brazil. The study is characterized as a quasi-random community intervention trial. The intervention is represented by the implementation of an Oral Health Team (OHT) in the FHP prior to the study. A total of 15 sectors covered by the FHP with OHT were randomly drawn and paired with another 15 sectors, based on socioeconomic criteria, not covered by the teams. A few sectors were lost over the course of the study, resulting in a final number of 22 sectors, 11 covered and 11 not covered. We divided the non-covered areas into two conditions, one in which we considered areas that had some type of assistance program such as the Community Agents Program (CAP), FHP without OHT, BHU (Basic Health Unit) or no assistance, and the other, in which we considered areas that had only BHU or no assistance. Community Health Agents (CHAs) and Dental Office Assistants (DOAs) applied a questionnaire-interview to the most qualified individual of the household and the data obtained per household were transformed into the individual data of 7186 persons. The results show no statistical difference between the oral health outcomes analyzed in the areas covered by OHT in the FHP and in non-covered areas that have some type of assistance program, with a number of indicators showing better conditions in the non-covered areas. When we considered the association between covered and non-covered areas under the second condition, we found a statistical difference in the coverage indicators. Better conditions were found in covered areas for indicators such as I have not been to the dentist in the last year with p < 0.001 and OR of 1.64 and I had no access to dental care with p < 0.001 and OR of 2.22. However, the results show no impact of FHP with OHT on preventive action indicators under both non-covered conditions. This can be clearly seen when we analyze the toothache variable, which showed no significant difference between covered and non-covered areas. This variable is one of the most sensitive when assessing oral health programs, with p of 0.430 under condition 1 and p of 0.038 under condition 2, with CI = 0.70-0.90. In the analysis of health indicators in children where the proportion of deaths in children under age 1, the rate of hospitalization for ARI (Acute Respiratory Infections) in those under age 5 and the proportion of individuals born underweight were considered, a better condition was found in all the outcomes for areas with FHP. Therefore, we can conclude that oral health in the FHP has little effect on oral health indicators, even though the strategy improves the general health conditions of the population, as, for example child health

Indicadores da resposta ao estresse agudo associados com a familiaridade ao ambiente e aos procedimentos de banho e tosa em cães (Canis familiaris) da raça poodle

The stress responses can be parameters used in order to identify the welfare of animals. Behavior parameters can also be regarded as means to identify their relation to stressing situations. In this study, adult male and female poodle dogs, accustomed (group 1) or not (group 2) to the environment of a bath and grooming salon were analyzed through the plasmatic concentration of cortisol, cell counting of the immune system (total leukocytes and percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes) and through observation of changes in behavior before and after the bath and grooming service. After arriving at the kennel, the dogs were taken to the bath and grooming facility, where they had their blood samples taken and were observed for ten minutes. The subsequent procedures consisted of the bath and grooming services and the collection of another blood samples. The research results were analyzed through non-parametric statistic tests and p < 0.05. Accustomed and non-accustomed dogs presented different hormonal and behavior responses: accustomed dogs presented an increasing of the cortisol level at the second blood samples collection, thus indicating stress towards the aforementioned procedures and presenting behavior responses which can be described as moderated stress. Non-accustomed dogs presented the same cortisol levels in both first and second samples suggesting that they were already reacting to the new environment. Dogs also shown behavioral responses which can be described as acute stress. Both male and female dogs showed similar immunological changes as well as different endocrine and behavioral profiles. Concerning aggression, this study demonstrates that biting the owner can be a predicting behavior of aggression during the bath and grooming service, male dogs were more aggressive than the female, and that males were more reactive to unknown caretaker. The results of this research propose that the familiarization of the animal with the bath and grooming environment and caretaker is important to the welfare of poodle dogs, especially to that of male dogs

Bem-estar psicológico de servidores e funcionários técnico-administrativos das Instituições de Ensino Superior Públicas e Privadas : indicadores e antecedentes

The elaboration of this thesis aimed at getting to know the structure of the psychological well-being (PWB) at work and analysing the differences in the PWB levels among technical-administrative servants in public and private Institutions of Higher Education (IES) in the municipality of João Pessoa. Two hundred and thirty-three public and private IES male and female servants of João Pessoa participated in the research, replying to an instrument composed of questionnaires referring to the elaborated model. Factorial and regression analyses were accomplished in order to test the hypotheses in respect of the proposed model. The results showed that the PWB related with the work is composed of indicators such as affection, vitality, anxiety, depression, satisfaction at work and aspiration for accomplishment and reduction of the self-efficiency. The observed PWB predictors at work were the IES type, presence of children, age and the escape and back-out facing strategy. These predictors possess relationship of moderation among them in the explanation of PWB. On comparing the PWB experienced by the technical-administrative servants, it was observed that those linked to private IES showed higher PWB rates. Furthermore, there are differences among PWB predictors in accordance with the IES type. The applicability of the results of this thesis is wide as regards social interventions in the search of health improvement under a psycho-sociological perspective. Eventually, the thematic of this thesis intends to reinforce the studies on the worker s health, since by knowing what would lead him into a feeling of accomplishment and well-being will result in more chances of promoting him, while creating opportunities of a sounder life for these people in psychological terms

Elaboração e avaliação de indicadores comportamentais de aderência ao tratamento hemodialítico

Introduction: This work intents to characterize behavioral indicators of tack to the hemodialysis treatment in a sample of carrying patients of chronic kidney failure (CKF) in the great Natal/RN. The therapeutical adherence represents the agreement degree between the patient behavior and the health team lapsings. The CKF is the gradual and irreversible loss of the renal function, being the hemodialysis treatment an important alternative to assist or to substitute the kidneys. Method: The sample consisted in 80 chronic kidney patients in hemodialysis treatment in two located clinical centers in the region of the great Natal, RN. It was used as instruments (a) a protocol of clinical data collection, (b) the Millon Index of Personality Styles (MIPS) and (c) a script of halfstructuralized interview. Results: The results show a balance between the genders (51% of female and 48.8% of the male sex), average age and equal average time of dialysis respectively to the 43,4 years (±13,25 years) and 22,04 years (±4,24 years). The marital status of half of the sample is married, predominating basic education (43.6%) and a familiar income until a minimum wage (43.8%). It had been defined six physicianlaboratorial indicators to evaluate the therapeutical adherence, further the use of the evaluation of the health team and the patient themselves. Thus, there was an average adherence around 55.97% of the sample ±18.37%). However only between selfassessment of the patients about the adherence and the assessment made by blood pressure post-dialysis indicated a significant association (p=0,029, qui-square test). On the other hand, there was a significant association (p <0.05, chi-square test) among the criteria for treatment adherence and issues investigated in the interview - the perception on the quality of the health services provided to patients, the difficulties following the prescribed diet, the characterization of the days between dialysis sessions and the perception of patients about the dialysis sessions. It was also noted a significant association (p <0.05, Levene test) between adherence to therapy and scales that constitute the MIPS. The health team characterized the patients more adherent behavior as an attitude of acceptance of the treatment, looking actively for their implementation, for more information and knowledge, and establishing a positive communication with the team and with other patients. Similar results were confirmed by the MIPS evaluation. According to that assessment the more compliant patients adopt a more optimistic attitude, trying to act or adapt themselves to their environment, processing cognitively both concrete and objective information, such as more speculative and symbolic information. In addition they establish a gregarious, cooperative, submissive and flexibly pattern of interpersonal relationships to social demands. These characteristics managed to explain 55.7% of the adherence variation according the health team and 23.3% of the variation according the CaxP laboratory indicator. Conclusions: The MIPS shown to be able to identify the most and least adherent to therapy patients. The use of different adherence indicators is important for an evaluation covering the different facets of this process. The adhesion levels are observed within registered by the relevant literature. There is need for further studies with a larger sample to deepen the data findings in this work