Thesis (Ph. D.)--George Mason University, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jan. 17, 2008). Thesis director: Don E. Kash Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy. Vita: p. 330. Includes bibliographical references (p. 289-329). Also available in print.

Orientador: Fernanda Cátia Bozelli / Resumo: Apesar de existir vários atributos que justificam o ensino de Astronomia nas escolas, ainda é possível verificar nos últimos anos, por meio de pesquisas, que professores apresentam dificuldades em abordar esse conhecimento. Deste modo, que ensino de Astronomia tem sido praticado nas escolas considerando-se uma quantidade relevante de pesquisas já existentes na área de Ensino de Ciências, bem como de orientações oficiais? Esse e outros questionamentos levantados no contato com materiais didáticos, professores, escolas e leituras de pesquisas em ensino de Ciências levaram a seguinte questão de pesquisa: Comparando-se o Discurso Oficial e o de professores que lecionam Física, o que se pode dizer acerca do ensino de temas relacionados à Astronomia no Ensino Médio? Nesta pesquisa, buscou-se comparar o Discurso Oficial, proveniente de documentos oficiais (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais para o Ensino Médio (PCNEM), Currículo do Estado de São Paulo, Orientações Curriculares Complementares aos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN+), Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o Ensino Médio (DCNEM)) e o Discurso do Professor que leciona Física, a fim de se discutir o que é possível dizer acerca do ensino de temas relacionados a Astronomia. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa e foi realizada com professores que lecionam a disciplina de Física no primeiro Ano do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública do interior do estado de São Paulo por meio da realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas.... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Although there are several attributes to justify astronomy teaching in schools, it is possible to verify in recent years, through research, that teachers have difficulties in working with this topic. Thus, what kind of Astronomy teaching has been practiced in schools considering a relevant amount of research already existing in the area of Science Teaching, as well as official guidelines? This and other questions raised through the contact with teaching materials, teachers, schools and readings of research in science teaching led the following research question: Comparing the Official Discourse and that one of Physics teachers, what can be said about the teaching topics related to Astronomy in High School? In this research, we sought to compare the Official Discourse, from official documents (National Curriculum Parameters for Secondary Education (PCNEM), State of São Paulo Curriculum, Complementary Curricular Guidelines for National Curricular Parameters (PCN +), National Curricular Guidelines for High School (DCNEM)) and the Professor's Discourse of Physics teachers, in order to discuss what can be said about the topics related to astronomy teaching. The research has a qualitative nature and was carried out with Physics teachers that lecture in the first year of high school of a public institution in the state of São Paulo, through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was based on the French Discourse Analysis using Eni Orlandi’s framework. The results show that the te... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The contents of the Thesis feature a survey of contemporary international attitude to environmental development and its effect on the educational trends in the Czech republic. Also, the short-term eco-educational project intended for primary school children is included here in the Thesis. The aim of the project is to arouse environmental awareness of children and excite their interest in this matter, which is considered to be the first essential step towards the sustainable development.