Juventude(s) e escola: um estudo de caso sobre as expectativas dos jovens estudantes quanto à construção do conhecimento em Ciências Naturais

Abstract

The present research was carried out due to the concern that was generated by the expectation demonstrated by young students in regard to the school and the knowledge that was built there. The main objective of this study was to identify how the relation between student and school takes place concerning knowledge building. In analyzing this relation we took into consideration both the expectations that these youngsters have towards the school and the way that their expectations are received and/or identified in it. In the theoretical field, we started our research with the concepts of youth for José Machado Pais (2003), of knowledge for Boaventura de Souza Santos (1989, 1999, 2010), of teaching sciences for Rubem Alves (1999, 2000), and of criticism toward knowledge institutionalization for Tomaz Tadeu da Silva (1995). After data collecting, we found the necessity to consider other authors as well, which helped us reach the objective of our study through their thoughts. To name: Maria Carmem Tacca (2006), Umberto de Andrade Pinto (2008), Maria Helena Souza Patto (1993) and Mário Sérgio Cortella (2009). This is a qualitative research, defined as case study which uses the combination of two research instruments: observation and interview. In this endeavor, we analyzed a public school in the State of Bahia located in the Itabuna city. Such observations and interviews tried to indentify the students’ expectations as well as the school’s interpretation of these expectations. We wished to point out that these youngster’s expectations regarding the school are very little since they are embargoed by adverse conditions. The teachers don’t have their expectations fulfilled either and therefore, they do not draw up acceptance proposals for the youngster’s expectations. Finally, there is a sense of nuisance installed in the school that blocks the creation of new expectations.