De interações intermoleculares e perfis epistemológicos: por que o ensino de Química ainda pensa clássico em seus materiais?

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the Epistemological Profile present in different educational materials used in Chemistry Education, with a specific focus on Intermolecular Interactions. The research examines textbooks from the National Textbook Program (PNLD), books intended for Higher Education, and historical works, analyzing how these materials explore the concept of Intermolecular Interactions. The general objective is to identify and understand the philosophical zones that emerge from these resources, exploring both the formation of concepts and possible pedagogical implications for Chemistry Education. The dissertation is structured into six articles, each addressing different dimensions of the research problem. The first article discusses the definition and distinction between the concepts of Epistemological Profile and Conceptual Profile, establishing a theoretical foundation for the investigation. The second article explores the epistemological construction of the concept of Intermolecular Interactions. The third and fourth articles analyze how these concepts are addressed in PNLD textbooks and Higher Education materials, respectively, employing content analysis based on Bardin (1977) to identify predominant approaches. The fifth article investigates the historical evolution of the concept of Intermolecular Interactions in early scientific works, while the sixth article presents an empirical analysis of the Epistemological Profile found in the three types of educational materials examined, revealing a predominance of Classical Rationalism, which reflects a traditional approach to Chemistry regarding Intermolecular Interactions. The critical analysis of textbooks and their limitations in promoting a more contextualized view of Science highlight the need for a deeper revision of curricula and educational materials, aiming for a more critical and contemporary approach to Chemistry Education.