The Choices of Teachers in Training in Chemistry Using

a Thematic Teaching Material

Daniela Martins Buccini Pena1, Ana Luiza de Quadros2

(1. School of Education, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil;

2. Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Abstract: The introduction of STS approaches has been the challenge of teachers in general, and the focus of several studies in the field of education. The specialized literature of the area has indicated that one of the difficulties in teaching with STS focus may be related to the misconception of teachers about the Nature of Science and on Science teaching. This article presents data regarding the choices related to the use (or not) of STS resources present in a thematic material. We analyzed the practice of teachers in training, as well the choices they made during the use of this material, to help us to understand the conceptions about Science and Science teaching that they were constructing during the participation in a teacher training project. We perceive an innovative teaching practice, but the participating teachers have misconceptions about the Nature of Science.

Key words: preservice teacher education, STS, teaching material