Games as Instruments of Limnoperna fortunei Prevention and Environmental Education

Claudia de Vilhena Schayer Sabino1, Andrea Carla Leite Chaves1, Maria Edith Rolla1, Ludmila Vieira Lage1, and

Marcela David de Carvalho2

1. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais - PUC Minas, Brazil

2. Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais – CEMIG, Brazil

Abstract: Golden Mussel has caused severe impacts on natural environments altering native biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, and on man-made structures, causing economic losses. Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) is having a significant impact on shallow water habitat in the region of cascade reservoirs ecosystem. The Brazilian electric power industry sector will suffer the greatest economic losses if the golden mussel is allowed to spread. Golden mussel surveying and consequently education for the public, means the prevention of problems to energy companies. This paper aims to present a didactic sequence on golden mussels. The production of this sequence is justified by research showing that teachers and students have difficulty understanding environmental issues, especially issues related to water. The purpose is to improve curiosity and stimulate learning in order to contribute to effective teaching-learning process on infestation probability, focusing on prevention, environmental impacts and health risks. Educational products shown here include: game and manual targeted to teachers with information about golden mussel and the game application in a classroom. These products offer current scientific information, using multimedia resources. The main aspects of the issue were addressed through short callouts using simple language, easily understood, associated with images that illustrate the information. It is expected that these materials can, through play activities, contribute to: (1) Bringing scientific knowledge from the classroom and the daily life of students and teachers; (2) Awakening the interest of students and teachers for water contamination problem; (3) contribute to the formation of individuals better informed and more active on environmental and health related issues; (4) bring changes in the attitudes of teachers and students towards the subjects of research.

Key words: environmental education, Limnoperna fortune, golden mussel, exoticspecies, reservoirs, hydropower reservoirs