Scientific literacy and STS approach in the view of biological science undergraduate students: a focal group analysis

Abstract

In this work we present a qualitative research, in which we used the technique of focal group to investigate the views of biological science undergraduate students about Science, Technology, Society and their interrelations in order to understand their positions on the process of scientific literacy. The research was carried out with a group of 12 students from a public university in Rio de Janeiro. A roadmap for focus group activity was drawn up containing stimulus materials such as comic books, questions, and a clipping of academic work. The data collection was performed through audio recordings and its analysis was done through the transcribed activity. The group presented initially positive conceptions about science and technology, but with the course of the activity they converge towards more conscious positions on the subject. The participants discuss social inequality in the distribution of knowledge on scientific and technological issues. They agree that it is unethical for a scientific education for all to have a pre-established purpose, such as that of the individual's professional training, but they believe there is a level of knowledge about science that they consider to be essential to the lives of all people.

Keywords

• alfabetização científica
• enfoque cts
• grupo focal