Concepções de ciência e cientista de alunos do ensino fundamental

Abstract

This paper investigated the students’ conceptions of science and the scientist from initial levels (3rd and
5th grades) and final levels (6th to 9th grades) of a primary school from a public state institution located in
Santa Rosa/RS. The relevance of the theme is evidenced since oftentimes misconceptions about science
and the role of the scientist do not contribute to learning and can make students disinterested by science
classes. This paper presents exploratory research and the database was constructed through a survey for
students. The survey was defined in some questions, considering the different levels of students, however,
the research goals remained the same. The data analysis supports the argument that students have some
misconceptions about the role of the scientists, e.g., the idea of an individualist and linear growing science.
Nonetheless, amid Covid-19 pandemics, the context where this research was carried out, the most part of
the students understand the importance of science and the scientist in the development of vaccines.