The purpose of this research was to investigate the role that science education can play both in facilitating and in enhancing the delivery of environmental education at South African schools. The theoretical links between science education and environmental education were examined. This was followed by a practical investigation which involves the researcher conducting interviews with educators of natural science in order to determine their perspectives on the relationship between science education and environmental education. The results of the research indicate that science education has tremendous potential for incorporating and enhancing the delivery of environmental education. However, this potential is not being fuIly realised due to a number of limiting factors. It is, therefore, imperative that the education authorities take immediate action to rectify this situation so that the synergy between science education and environmental education comes to fruition. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The aim of this thesis was to examine the conditions for democratic bildung-oriented education for students in the school science discourse. This is something that the Swedish curriculum is based on and thereby the education should develop students' capacity for social, political and cultural awareness. The theoretical framework used is grounded in critical didactics and feminist theories which assume that students should feel involved and get their voices heard. The Swedish national test in chemistry (2009-2012) and student answers (198n) from one of the items in the 2009 test have been analyzed using discourse analysis. The first study explored the norms and values present in the national tests in chemistry, in relation to people, society and nature. The second study focused on student’s evaluative language in their free-text answers to one of the items. Thereby attitudes in student answers were projected in relation to the norms and values found in the first study. Finally, the student answers were used once more in a third study, where students’ positioning in relation to the scientific discourse in the chemistry test (2009) was explored, as well as which feminist figurations these subject positions express. The results show that the national tests harbor an elitist image and anandrocentric bias.The normative message is that students should adopt an objective, rational, non-judgmental and non-emotional role. Topics connected to young people’s everyday life, that might interest students, are rare. Contrary to the normative messages mediated by the tests, students use evaluative and embodied language to a high extent in their answers. They choose to write about topics that are close to their everyday life and they show that they are emotionally engaged. Through feminist figurations theories used in the third study one can see how the student-subject positions offer resistance in different ways. This is shown in their criticism of science and technology, human society and nature. The students' responses have embraced an embodied chemistry that can be interpreted as teaching based on bildung and deliberative discussions.

Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study seeks to investigate how a language is used in teaching and learning of natural science in the intermediate phase, with specific reference to the way in which isiXhosa (learners’ home language) is used alongside English (the resource language and medium of teaching and learning). My research investigated teaching and learning practice materials in two classes and studied the roles of English and isiXhosa in mediating cognitively challenging subject content, particularly natural science concepts and terminology. In chapter two I refer to different theoreticians to advance my argument around the use of language as a tool to promote cognitive development and conceptual understanding in areas of academic learning in this case, natural science. I looked at work done internationally on cognitive development and then explored numerous research projects conducted on the same issue in an African context around the use of indigenous languages in teaching and learning. I also explored the Language in Education Policy underpinning the natural science curriculum statement, particularly the distinction between additive and subtractive bi/multilingualism. I will discuss the language of science and investigate how this highly specialised natural science jargon is used to convey understanding of science to learners who are not native speakers of English. Classroom observations and interviews with teachers are used to gain insight into the use of both isiXhosa and English in everyday teaching and learning. Teaching and learning materials such as textbooks and learners’ work are also explored. These are attempts to determine how natural science concepts and terminology are explained to learners and which language is used and for what purposes? The study concludes that the lack of materials in isiXhosa, coupled with unplanned code switching to English and the extensive use of English borrowings affect learners’ ability to understand cognitively challenging material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek hoe taal gebruik word in die onderrig en leer van natuurwetenskap in die interim fase met spesifieke verwysing na die wyse waarop isiXhosa (die leerders se huistaal) saam met Engels (die taal van hulpbronne en van onderrig-leer). My navorsing het die onderrig en leer praktyke van en materiaal in twee klasse ondersoek en die rolle van isiXhosa en Engels bestudeer waar kognitief-komplekse leermateriaal, veral natuurwetenskap konsepte en terminologie gebruik is. In hoofstuk twee verwys ek na verskeie teoretici om my argument oor die gebruik van taal as instrument om kognitiewe ontwikkeling en konseptuele begrip van natuurwetenskap (in hierdie geval) te bevorder, te ondersteun. Ek ondersoek internasionale perspektiewe op kognitiewe en konseptuele ontwikkeling in akademiese kontekste, in hierdie geval natuurwetenskap, opgevolg deur ‘n verskeidenheid van navorsingsprojekte op dieselfde onderwerp in die konteks van Afrika, veral wat betref die gebruik van inheemse tale in leer en onderrig. Ek neem die Taal in Onderrig Beleid onderliggend aan die natuurwetenskap kurrikulumverklaring in ag, met spesifieke verwysing na die onderskeid tussen aanvullende en afbrekende twee- en meertaligheid. Die taal wat in die natuurwetenskappe gebruik word, word ook onder die loep geneem en die ondersoek fokus op die wyse waarop hierdie hoogs gespesialiseerde vaktaal gebruik word om natuurwetenskap by leerders wat nie huistaalsprekers van Engels is nie, tuis te bring. Klaskamerwaarneming en onderhoude met onderwysers is gebruik om insig te verkry in die gebruik van beide isiXhosa en Engels in daaglikse onderrig en leer. Onderrig- en leermateriaal soos handboeke en leerders se werk is ook ondersoek. Hierdie is gedoen om uit te vind hoe natuurwetenskap konsepte en terminologie aan leerders verduidelik word en watter taal gebruik word vir watter doeleindes. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat ‘n gebrek aan onderrig- en leermateriaal saam met onbeplande kodewisseling tussen Engels en Afrikaans en die uitgebreide gebruik van leenwoorde uit Engels beïnvloed die leerders se vermoë om kognitief komplekse materiaal te verstaan.

L'enseignement des sciences est souvent perçu, par les enseignants, comme une discipline complexe à enseigner. La formation continue permet de modifier cette perception en offrant de l'accompagnement pédagogique pour développer les pratiques d'enseignement des sciences et rehausser le sentiment d'efficacité des enseignants. Cette recherche s'intéresse aux effets d'une formation continue sur le sentiment d'efficacité des enseignants et leur enseignement des sciences au primaire. L'approche choisie est celle d'une recherche qualitative et la méthode est celle de l'étude de cas, de type exploratoire. Dans le cadre de cette recherche, six enseignants ayant suivi divers programmes de formation continue afin de développer leur pratique d'enseignement des sciences ont été rencontrés. Des entrevues et des observations (grilles basées sur l'échelle du sentiment d'efficacité des enseignants (STEBI)) sont utilisées pour la collecte de données. Les résultats de l'analyse de données indiquent, dans un premier temps, que les enseignants rencontrés perçoivent que la formation continue a des effets positifs sur leur sentiment d'efficacité, notamment en ce qui a trait à la première dimension relative à la compétence à enseigner les sciences (CE). Dans un deuxième temps, la comparaison des données des pratiques déclarées et des pratiques effectives révèlent l'apport considérable de l'engagement du milieu et de la collaboration des pairs sur le développement de la deuxième dimension relative à l'efficacité de l'enseignement (EE). / Primary teachers have difficulties with science teaching and as a consequence, this subject matter is often neglected. Teacher development in this discipline can contribute to change in teacher practices and impact on teachers beliefs towards science. This study explores the effect of professionnal development in science, given over a period of time, on teacher practices and self-efficacy beliefs. A qualitative approach using an exploratory case study was chosen for this research. For that purpose, several data collection tools such as interviews and observations, using the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEBI) were chosen. The results indicate that the six teachers participating in the study perceive professional development in science as having a positive effect on their self-efficacy beliefs (especially on their personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE)). In addition, the comparison of the data collected from the interviews and the observations suggests that teachers who participate in professional development as a group have a high personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE), but also a higher science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE).

Depuis l’entrée en vigueur du Programme de formation de l’école québécoise en 2001, l’astronomie est à nouveau enseignée dans les classes du Québec. Malheureusement, l’école est mal outillée pour enseigner des concepts astronomiques complexes se déroulant pour la plupart en dehors des heures de classe et sur de longues périodes de temps. Sans compter que bien des phénomènes astronomiques mettent en jeu des astres se déplaçant dans un espace tridimensionnel auquel nous n’avons pas accès depuis notre point de vue géocentrique. Les phases de la Lune, concept prescrit au premier cycle du secondaire, sont de ceux-là. Heureusement, l’école peut compter sur l’appui du planétarium, musée de sciences dédié à la présentation, en accéléré et à toute heure du jour, de simulations ultra réalistes de divers phénomènes astronomiques. Mais quel type de planétarium secondera l’école ? Récemment, les planétariums ont eux aussi subi leur propre révolution : ces institutions sont passées de l’analogique au numérique, remplaçant les projecteurs optomécaniques géocentriques par des projecteurs vidéo qui offrent la possibilité de se déplacer virtuellement dans une simulation de l’Univers tridimensionnel complètement immersive. Bien que la recherche en éducation dans les planétariums se soit peu penchée sur ce nouveau paradigme, certaines de ses conclusions basées sur l’étude des planétariums analogiques peuvent nous aider à concevoir une intervention didactique fructueuse dans ces nouveaux simulateurs numériques. Mais d’autres sources d’inspiration seront invoquées, au premier chef la didactique des sciences, qui conçoit l’apprentissage non plus comme la transmission de connaissances, mais plutôt comme la construction de savoirs par les apprenants eux-mêmes, avec et contre leurs conceptions premières. La conception d’environnements d’apprentissages constructivistes, dont le planétarium numérique est un digne représentant, et l’utilisation des simulations en astronomie, complèteront notre cadre théorique et mèneront à la conception d’une intervention didactique à propos des phases de la Lune dans un planétarium numérique s’adressant à des élèves âgés de 12 à 14 ans. Cette intervention didactique a été mise à l’essai une première fois dans le cadre d’une recherche de développement (ingénierie didactique) visant à l’améliorer, à la fois sur son versant théorique et sur son versant pratique, par le biais de multiples itérations dans le milieu « naturel » où elle se déploie, ici un planétarium numérique gonflable de six mètres de diamètre. Nous présentons les résultats de notre première itération, réalisée en compagnie de six jeunes de 12 à 14 ans (quatre garçons et deux filles) dont nous avons recueilli les conceptions à propos des phases de la Lune avant, pendant et après l’intervention par le biais d’entrevues de groupe, questionnaires, mises en situation et enregistrement des interventions tout au long de l’activité. L'évaluation a été essentiellement qualitative, basée sur les traces obtenues tout au long de la séance, en particulier sous la voûte du planétarium. Ce matériel a ensuite été analysé pour valider les concepts théoriques qui ont mené à la conception de l'intervention didactique, d'une part, mais aussi pour faire émerger des améliorations possibles visant à bonifier l'intervention. Nous avons ainsi constaté que l'intervention provoque effectivement l'évolution des conceptions de la majorité des participants à propos des phases de la Lune, mais nous avons également identifié des façons de rendre l’intervention encore plus efficace à l’avenir. / Since the Quebec Education Program came into effect in 2001, Quebec classrooms have again been teaching astronomy. Unfortunately, schools are ill-equipped to teach complex astronomical concepts, most of which occur outside school hours and over long periods of time. Furthermore, many astronomical phenomena involve celestial objects travelling through three-dimensional space, which we cannot access from our geocentric point of view. The lunar phases, a concept prescribed in secondary cycle one, fall into that category. Fortunately, schools can count on support from the planetarium, a science museum dedicated to presenting ultra-realistic simulations of astronomical phenomena in fast time and at any hour of the day. But what type of planetarium will support schools? Recently, planetariums also underwent their own revolution: they switched from analogue to digital, replacing geocentric opto-mechanical projectors with video projectors that offer the possibility of travelling virtually through a completely immersive simulation of the three-dimensional Universe. Although research into planetarium education has focused little on this new paradigm, certain of its conclusions, based on the study of analogue planetariums, can help us develop a rewarding teaching intervention in these new digital simulators. But other sources of inspiration will be cited, primarily the teaching of science, which views learning no longer as the transfer of knowledge, but rather as the construction of knowledge by the learners themselves, with and against their initial conceptions. The conception and use of constructivist learning environments, of which the digital planetarium is a fine example, and the use of simulations in astronomy will complete our theoretical framework and lead to the conception of a teaching intervention focusing on the lunar phases in a digital planetarium and targeting students aged 12 to 14. This teaching intervention was initially tested as part of development research (didactic engineering) aimed at improving it, both theoretically and practically, through multiple iterations in its “natural” environment, in this case an inflatable digital planetarium six metres in diameter. We are presenting the results of our first iteration, completed with help from six children aged 12 to 14 (four boys and two girls) whose conceptions about the lunar phases were noted before, during and after the intervention through group interviews, questionnaires, group exercises and recordings of the interventions throughout the activity. The evaluation was essentially qualitative, based on the traces obtained throughout the session, in particular within the planetarium itself. This material was then analyzed to validate the theoretical concepts that led to the conception of the teaching intervention and also to reveal possible ways to improve the intervention. We noted that the intervention indeed changed most participants’ conceptions about the lunar phases, but also identified ways to boost its effectiveness in the future.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Curriculum and Instruction / Kay Ann Taylor / This qualitative case study investigated the teaching strategies that improve science learning of African American students. This research study further sought the extent the identified teaching strategies that are used to improve African American science learning reflect culturally responsive teaching. Best teaching strategies and culturally responsive teaching have been researched, but there has been minimal research on the impact that both have on science learning, with an emphasis on the African American population. Consequently, the Black-White achievement gap in science persists. The findings revealed the following teaching strategies have a positive impact on African American science learning: (a) lecture-discussion, (b) notetaking, (c) reading strategies, (d) graphic organizers, (e) hands-on activities, (f) laboratory experiences, and (g) cooperative learning. Culturally responsive teaching strategies were evident in the seventh-grade science classrooms observed. Seven themes emerged from this research data: (1) The participating teachers based their research-based teaching strategies used in the classroom on all of the students’ learning styles, abilities, attitudes towards science, and motivational levels about learning science, with no emphasis on the African American student population; (2) The participating teachers taught the state content standards simultaneously using the same instructional model daily, incorporating other content areas when possible; (3) The participating African American students believed their seventh-grade science teachers used a variety of teaching strategies to ensure science learning took place, that science learning was fun, and that science learning was engaging; (4) The participating African American students genuinely liked their teacher; (5) The participating African American students revealed high self-efficacy; (6) The African American student participants’ parents value education and moved to Success Middle School district for better educational opportunities; and (7) Teachers were not familiar with the term “culturally responsive teaching,” but there was evidence that several aspects of it were present in the seventh-grade science classroom environment. Critical Race Theory (CRT) was the framework for analysis and interpretation of this research study. The findings support the following tenets of CRT: (a) racism is normal, (b) interest-convergence or colorblindness, (c) contextual-historical analysis, (d) storytelling or counterstorytelling, and (e) social transformation. These findings indicate that racial inequalities remain an issue in the underachievement of African Americans and may be the solution to improving science learning of African Americans. The outcome of this study contributes to the limited research on utilizing culturally responsive teaching along with best teaching strategies to improve academic achievement of African American students, and CRT exposes the issues that contribute to the Black-White achievement gap in science widening.

Os mapas conceituais são organizadores gráficos utilizados no processo de ensino e de aprendizagem. Sua efetividade em sala de aula é pouco explorada como instrumento avaliativo por alguns motivos como o treinamento dos alunos, na sua elaboração e na devolutiva do professor aos alunos, que pode ser influenciada pela forma de abordagem e recepção. Essa pesquisa teve por objetivo investigar a utilização dos mapas conceituais com proposições incorretas como instrumento avaliativo em uma sala de aula invertida Flipped Classroom. Foi investigado também quais as estratégias de ensino e de aprendizagem utilizadas pelo professor e pelos alunos para se planejarem e se organizarem dentro da disciplina. Três estudos foram realizados para analisar o efeito do mapa conceitual com proposições incorretas no desempenho dos alunos (Estudo 1), como os alunos se prepararam para as aulas e para as provas em uma disciplina cuja metodologia da sala de aula foi invertida (Estudo 2) e quais foram as estratégias de ensino e de aprendizagem utilizadas pelo professor e pelos alunos nessa organização pedagógica (Estudo 3). Participaram dessa pesquisa 86 alunos ingressos na Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades da Universidade de São Paulo, no primeiro semestre de 2016, na disciplina de Ciências da Natureza. O referencial teórico fundamentou-se na Teoria da Carga Cognitiva de Sweller (1988) e na Teoria Social Cognitiva de Bandura (1986). A abordagem utilizada para a pesquisa foi mista sendo no Estudo 1 e Estudo 2 quantitativa e no Estudo 3 a qualitativa e o procedimento escolhido foi o estudo de caso. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que: o mapa conceitual com proposição incorreta pode ser mais uma ferramenta avaliativa agregada às que são usualmente utilizadas pelos professores em sala de aula; o mapa conceitual com a demanda da tarefa sem direcionamento instrucional foi considerado mais difícil pelos alunos do que o que possuía uma demanda com direcionamento instrucional; a metodologia da sala de aula invertida causou um efeito favorável para que os alunos participassem e se preparassem mais para as aulas e para as provas mesmo que no início tenha havido uma relutância por parte deles; quanto mais estratégias de ensino o professor disponibiliza em suas aulas mais satisfatória e mais eficiente é a interação entre ele e seus alunos, o que propicia devolutivas mais pontuais e assertivas para os alunos promovendo a ressonância pedagógica entre eles professor e aluno. As análises revelaram que os mapas conceituais com proposições incorretas são muito bons para serem utilizados como um instrumento avaliativo, que a diversidade metodológica da sala de aula influenciou positivamente no processo de ensino e de aprendizagem e que as escolhas de estratégias podem potencializar esse processo permitindo a regulação do ensino pelo professor e autorregulação da aprendizagem por parte dos alunos. / Concept maps are graphic organizers used in the teaching and learning process. However, their effectiveness in the classroom is little explored in the literature mainly in the evaluation for some reasons such as the training of students in their elaboration, the amount of differentiated maps for the teacher to correct and in the composition of a scoring system so that they do not become a tool for the superficial and memoristic understanding of the content addressed in the classroom. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of using conceptual maps in an unusual way: elaborated by the teacher of the discipline with incorrect propositions as an evaluation tool within an inverted methodological proposal - Flipped Classroom. The study also verified the teaching and learning strategies used by the teacher and the students to plan and organize their formative process within the discipline. Three studies were conducted to analyze the impact of this conceptual map on student performance (Study 1), as students prepared for classes and for tests with a discipline that inverted classroom methodology (Study 2) and which were the teaching and learning strategies used by the teacher and the students in this pedagogical organization (Study 3). A total of 86 students participated in the study of the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo, in the first semester of 2016, in the discipline of Natural Sciences and the professor of the discipline. The theoretical framework was based on Sweller\'s Theory of Cognitive Load (1988) and on Curative Social Theory of Bandura (1986). The case study approach was used and the methodology adopted was differentiated for the studies: in Study 1 and Study 2 it was the quantitative one and in Study 3 it was used the qualitative one. The results obtained showed that (1) this conceptual map style can be an additional evaluative tool that is usually used by teachers; (2) task instruction on the conceptual map influences the student\'s understanding of knowledge; (3) the methodology of the inverted classroom has a favorable impact on the quantity and quality of time invested by the students in the preparation for the classes and proof; (4) the inverted classroom is a methodology that generates a more active and dynamic participation of the students, which in the first moment causes a reluctance on their part; (5) the more teaching strategies the teacher offers in his classes, the more interaction and punctual feedbacks occur between students and him promoting pedagogic resonance and (6) the more students use learning strategies, the more they excel in the subject. The analyzes revealed that the conceptual maps with incorrect propositions are very good to be used as an evaluation tool, that the methodological diversity of the classroom influenced positively in the teaching and learning process and that the strategies choices can potentiate this process allowing the teacher regulation and self-regulation of student learning.

Os mapas conceituais (MCs) são úteis para representar o conhecimento dos alunos e promover a aprendizagem significativa. A análise detalhada de mapas conceituais pode revelar informações latentes que não são percebidas a partir da mera leitura do seu conjunto de proposições. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor a análise de vizinhança (AViz) como uma forma inovadora de analisar os MCs obtidos em sala de aula. A seleção de um conceito obrigatório (CO) permite verificar como os alunos o relaciona com outros conceitos, que são denominados conceitos vizinhos (CVs). MCs (n=69) sobre as mudanças climáticas formam o primeiro conjunto de dados empíricos que ratifica o potencial da AViz. O CO selecionado foi dispersão, a fim de analisar se os alunos conseguem relacioná-lo com o caráter global desse problema ambiental. Os padrões identificados a partir da AViz sugerem que, apesar de serem submetidos a uma mesma sequência didática, nem todos os alunos conseguiram utilizar o CO de forma adequada. Isso pode ser explicado a partir da Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de David Ausubel, que destaca o papel fundamental dos conhecimentos prévios no processo de assimilação de novas informações. / Concept maps (CMs) are useful to represent students\' knowledge and to promote meaningful learning. The deep analysis of concept maps may reveal latent information that is not perceived from the simple reading of its propositional network. This work proposes the Neighborhood Analysis (NeAn) as an innovative way to analyze the CMs obtained in classrooms. The selection of a compulsory concept (CC) allows teachers to evaluate how the students relate it to other concepts, named neighbors (NCs). CMs (n=69) on climate change are the first set of empirical data that confirms the potential of NeAn. Dispersion was selected as CC in order to check whether students can relate it with the global perspective of this environmental problem. The patterns found from the NeAn suggest that, despite being exposed to the same didactic activities, some students could not use the CC properly. This may be explained from David Ausubel\'s learning theory, which stresses the critical role of prior knowledge in the assimilation process of new information.

A presente pesquisa aborda como temática central o desenvolvimento profissional de professores dos anos iniciais de escolarização, relativo ao ensino de ciências. Desenvolveu-se em uma escola da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de São Paulo, tendo como base uma formação contínua em serviço orientada pela realização de atividades investigativas de ensino. A partir de referenciais teóricos da perspectiva histórico-cultural, o desenvolvimento profissional é abordado como um processo desencadeado pela docência, concebida como atividade, e como tal, mediada por ações coletivas e colaborativas. Esta investigação problematiza a relação entre ensinar ciências e aprender a ensinar ciências, a partir da seguinte questão: o que a mediação discursiva docente pode mostrar sobre o trabalho docente e desenvolvimento profissional de professores dos anos iniciais que ensinam ciências sob orientação investigativa? Trata-se de um estudo de caso, com aproximações à análise microgenética. A análise privilegia a atividade docente em sala de aula de uma das professoras do coletivo da escola, realizada mediante a configuração de suas mediações discursivas. Os resultados mostram o desenvolvimento profissional como um contínuo processo de realização de motivos e objetivos pelo professor, e de subsequentes atribuições de sentidos, potencializados por situações de aprendizagem oriundas de necessidades formativas que emergem do movimento dialógico discursivo em sala de aula. Conclui-se que o desenvolvimento profissional do professor está relacionado ao conteúdo de seus motivos e sentidos, à capacidade de reversibilidade dos modos de mediação por ele adotados para realizar os seus objetivos e à dimensão coletiva e colaborativa de sua docência. Desse modo, a pesquisa pode contribuir com reflexões no campo teórico/prático da formação de professores no ensino de ciências, não apenas por evidenciar realizações e necessidades docentes em sala de aula, mas por destacar a construção da docência na amplitude da práxis, como condição essencial para o desenvolvimento profissional. / The theme of this research is the professional development of first school years science teachers. It has been developed in a school of the São Paulo municipal teaching network based on continued education on site and supported by investigative teaching activities. Based on theoretical references that have a historic-cultural perspective, professional development is approached as a process triggered by the teaching activity and, as such, affected by collective and collaborative actions. This investigation discusses the relation between teaching science and learning how to teach science, and asks: what can the teaching discourse mediation show about the teaching activity and the professional development of first years science teachers that teach using an investigative approach? This is a case study that approximates microgenetic analysis. This analysis focuses on one of the school teachers teaching activity in the classroom and was conducted through the configuration of her discourses. Results present professional development as a continuous process through which the teacher accomplishes motives and objectives and, subsequently, assigns meanings that are strengthened by learning situations deriving from educational requirements that arise from the discourse/ dialogue movement inside the classroom. It is possible to conclude that the teachers professional development relates to the content of her motives and meanings, to her capacity of reversing adopted mediation modes to achieve her objectives, and to the collective and collaborative dimension of her teaching. Accordingly, this research may contribute to reflections on the theoretical/practical field of science teachers education, not only because it evidences teaching accomplishments and requirements in the classroom, but because it emphasizes the construction of teaching, considering the praxis as the key condition for professional development.

A carência de instrumentos de pesquisa que avaliem a qualidade do ensino de ciências no Brasil é latente. A aplicação no Brasil de um instrumento internacional que permita avaliar os interesses e as posturas de jovens estudantes frente às ciências e tecnologias (C&T) é o principal objetivo deste trabalho e um passo importante na discussão desta questão. O ROSE - The Relevance of Science Education é um questionário aplicado a alunos da faixa dos 15 anos de diversos países que nos auxilia a confirmar hipóteses, entender padrões e a traçar tendências sobre o ensino de ciências. O desenvolvimento de uma versão brasileira do questionário ROSE, possibilitou este estudo no País. O instrumento foi aplicado em 2007 a 652 alunos das cidades de São Caetano do Sul/SP e Tangará da Serra/MT, trazendo elementos objetivos sobre a realidade do ensino de ciências em contextos brasileiros bem diversos. O estudo revelou que estes jovens acham a disciplina ciências interessante, mas por outro lado, têm um baixo interesse em exercer ciência profissionalmente. Suas análises evidenciam também a grande preferência das meninas por assuntos relacionados à saúde enquanto que a preferência masculina é por temas de tecnologia e física, ao lado daqueles vinculados à proteção ambiental. No outro extremo, existe um desinteresse, de meninos e meninas, nas questões de botânica e agricultura, bem como naquelas relacionadas à história da Ciência. Estes jovens alunos reconhecem a importância e se interessam pelas questões e desafios ambientais. Os alunos paulistas incluem-se como responsáveis pelas questões do meio ambiente e cobram maior envolvimento da sociedade na proteção ambiental, não acreditam que as C&T possam resolver todos estes problemas, mas são muito esperançosos em relação ao futuro do planeta e da humanidade. Os estudantes matogrossenses, diferentemente, excluem-se das responsabilidades pelos problemas ambientais e colocam nas mãos dos especialistas reger as mudanças necessárias, acreditam no poder das C&T para tais mudanças, mas declaramse menos confiantes no seu sucesso. O ROSE traz claras evidencias de que o ensino de ciências carece de mudanças e colabora com a intenção de redefinir as prioridades brasileiras para seu aprimoramento. Revela dados que, somados àqueles já registrados em pesquisas anteriores, permitem levar - com segurança - a discussão adiante. / The lack of research tools which really evaluate the quality of science teaching in Brazil is concealed. The application of an international instrument which grants the evaluation of young students\' interests and postures towards sciences and technologies (S&T) is the main purpose of this work as well as an important step related to the discussion of this issue. ROSE - The Relevance of Science Education - is a questionnaire applied to 15-yearold students from several countries which helps us confirm hypothesis, understand patterns and outline tendencies as to the teaching of sciences. The development of a Brazilian version of the ROSE questionnaire enabled this study in the country. The device was applied in 2007 to 652 students in the cities of São Caetano do Sul/São Paulo State and Tangará da Serra/Mato Grosso State, helping emerge objective elements about the reality of science teaching in quite different Brazilian contexts (urban/industrialized x rural/agricultural). The study revealed that these youngsters evaluate science study as interesting; however, the possibility of taking science as a professional career has shown low interest. Their analysis also made it clear that most girls show more interest in topics related to health while boys give preference for themes related to technology and physics, as well as those entailed to environmental protection. On the other hand, neither boys nor girls show much interest in botany or agriculture, much less in those related to Science History. These young students recognize the importance of and are interested in environmental matters and challenges. The São Paulo students accept their responsibility as to environmental issues and claim for a society\'s bigger involvement with environmental protection; they do not believe that the S&T can solve all these problems, either. However, they are full of hope towards the future of the planet and mankind. The students of the state of Mato Grosso, differently, do not include themselves as responsible for environmental problems and relegate to specialists the duty of taking the necessary changes. They also believe in the S&T power in terms of these changes; however, they confess to be less trustful in their success. The ROSE opens up clear evidences that science teaching needs changes and contributes to the intention of re-defining Brazilian priorities for the refinement of science teaching. It reveals data that, added to the ones already enrolled in previous researches, allow the follow-up of the discussion of this theme in safe grounds.