Olimpíada de ciências biológicas como ferramenta para o ensino de biologia no Alto Solimões, Amazônia Brasileira

Abstract

We performed for the first time the Brazilian Biology Olympiad (OBB) in the Upper Solimoes. We evaluate the performance of students in this test and suggest strategies for teaching-learning of Biology and Natural Sciences, for improve the performance of students and teachers of high school in the region. We used textbooks of biology as a reference to categorize and quantify the 30 questions in the test on IX OBB according knowledge area and specific content. The percentage of correct answers of the students was related by knowledge area, grade of high school, technical school, and the differences were assessed for significance testing. The performance of most students in the test on IX OBB was less than 50%, below the regional average of State of Amazonas. The application of formal knowledge in practical classes in the natural sciences, the development of projects and outclass experiments and laboratories have been major instructional practices revisions by teachers. Since 2010 there was an increase in the number of students and professors from the Amazonas Federal Institute - IFAM involved in the extension and research projects. In 2012 started the planning for deployment of laboratories that include teaching and research in Natural Sciences. Hence, we expected a positive feedback between the teaching-learning of Biology. This new dynamic and the infrastructure will contribute to scientific culture and extension in technical courses. Thus, providing professionals and students to apply their knowledge in a context to articulate schools and society. Keywords: Scientific Olympiads. Learning Biology. Science Teaching. Education.