History of science: revealing fragmented conceptions from scientists 'images

Abstract

The research aimed to investigate the conceptions of third year high school students regarding the image and name of three important scientists for Biology: Robert Hooke, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek and Carl Nilsson Linnaeus (Carlos Lineu), through questionnaires applied to seventy-eight students of third-year high school from three public schools in the municipality of Palmeira das Missões, RS. Initially the first research instrument was applied, containing two distinct images of each scientist and with semistructured questions (closed and open). Then, a second questionnaire was applied in which, besides having other images of the scientists, presented the names of the scientists mentioned. After that, the questionnaires were collected and tabulated. The results show that the use of images is still restricted in the classroom; and none of the scientists were recognized. In addition, many misconceptions about scientists and science have been identified in the students' citations. Presenting adequately and broadly the History of Science may contribute to a useful didactic device, making the teaching of science become more interesting for the high school level. Also, it may ease the learning, showing that science is not immutable and it depends on several people.

Keywords

• Hooke
• Leeuwenhoek
• Lineu