Interactive Lecture in Redox Chemistry: Analysis of the Impact of the Dissemination of University Scientific Research among High School Students

Abstract

Science dissemination or popularization of science refers to the act of facilitating the understanding of research and works of scientific and/or technological origin among the general public. Science dissemination is a relevant issue in the realm of public policy. Considering that in Brazil, the university is responsible for most of the scientific knowledge production, one of its core obligations is to promote activities intended to disseminate the knowledge produced. The dissemination of scientific knowledge is extremely important because when science has little prestige among the general population, several problems are bound to occur as society’s image of chemistry, which is not always positive, is often related to negative and equivocal facts. This article discusses the use of science dissemination as a tool for bridging the gap between high school students and the university, aiming at bringing them closer to each other and fostering the dissemination of scientific knowledge and research. A lecture was developed based on the partnership between scientific communicators and researchers. The lecture, which was presented to about 110 students from three public schools, was held in a public university in Brazil for a year, and the impact of the lecture among the attendees was analyzed through questionnaires and interviews. Answers to the questionnaires revealed that the lecture helped promote the importance of chemistry and boosted students’ interest in the field and in the university. The interviews conducted show that students are more interested and likely to learn chemistry and to acquaint themselves with university research. The results point to the potential of such lectures in helping disseminate university research and the responsibility of public universities toward the dissemination of science.