Plantas medicinais e saberes populares no ensino de química: uma proposta experimental com garrafadas para o ensino de química orgânica no ensino médio

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants and traditional practices, such as herbal mixtures known as garrafadas, is part of the cultural heritage of many Brazilian communities, especially in the Northeast region, representing important forms of traditional knowledge transmitted across generations. In the educational context, the valorization of this knowledge can contribute to a more contextualized and meaningful Chemistry teaching. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether the application of a contextualized didactic sequence, addressing the theme of medicinal plants with an emphasis on garrafadas, contributes to the learning of Organic Chemistry contents, specifically organic functions, among third-year high school students at the Federal Institute of Piauí – Campus Paulistana. The research adopted a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, using questionnaires applied before and after the pedagogical intervention as data collection instruments. The didactic sequence included dialogued lectures, audiovisual resources, an interview with a garrafada producer, content review, and experimental laboratory activities using garrafada samples. The results showed significant improvements in students’ understanding of Organic Chemistry concepts, greater ability to relate scientific content to everyday situations, and the development of a more critical perspective regarding the use of homemade remedies. It is concluded that the contextualized approach, combined with experimentation and the appreciation of popular knowledge, promoted more meaningful learning and increased student engagement in Chemistry classes.