The Forest of the Science: a learning environment for Science Education

Abstract

This experience report is about the activities in Forest of the Science of the National Institute for Amazonian Research - INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, from a course taken: Education Fundamentals in Science in the Master's Degree in Sciences Education of the State University of Amazonas – UEA. The experiences, group discussions, readings and the socialization provided us with a satisfactory learning and understanding the importance of non-formal spaces in science education. Our work was based on authors such as: Cachapuz (2005), Cascais & Fachín-Terán (2011), Delizoicov et al. (2007), Chassot (2011), among others. The objective of this report is to analyze the relevance of non-formal spaces for science education and to propose alternatives for the educator aiming to contribute to the construction of the scientific knowledge in the students. The volume of collected information contributed to thinking of the activities in this environment and the need to attractively explore the science teaching, encouraging the curiosity and especially the develop of hypotheses that aim to stimulate new learning. For maximum use of non-formal spaces the educator should review their teaching, planning their class and encouraging the students to research and to develop and construction of new knowledge. Key words: Non-formal spaces. Forest of the science. Science education.