Nanociência e nanotecnologia no ensino de química: uma análise dos livros didáticos de química de Martha Reis

Abstract

Nanotechnology is defined as the study and manipulation of materials on a nanometric scale (one billionth of a meter), with applications in diverse areas such as health, technology, energy, civil construction, and education. Historically, the main names linked to the development of this science are Richard Feynman (who proposed the idea in 1959), Norio Taniguchi (who coined the term "nanotechnology" in 1974), and Eric Drexler (who popularized molecular nanotechnology). This work highlights that, despite its importance and presence in our daily lives, nanotechnology is still little explored in schools. One of the reasons is the scarcity of content in textbooks and the absence of clear detail in the National Common Curriculum Base (BNCC). However, the BNCC recognizes nanotechnology as part of the Natural Sciences and their Technologies, and it is up to the teacher to include it as interdisciplinary content in classes. Nanotechnology has a strong connection with Chemistry, being used, for example, in the manufacture of cosmetics, sporting goods, medicines, and in the improvement of construction materials. Nanotechnology is also useful in medical diagnoses, such as identifying tumors through nanoparticles in imaging exams. In education, its teaching can motivate students and contribute to the construction of scientific knowledge, as well as bring school content closer to reality. Practical and contextualized activities are suggested as effective tools for teaching nanotechnology. This work aims to analyze how the concepts of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology can be addressed in the teaching of Chemistry in High School, based on the analysis of textbooks. The research methodology is exploratory and qualitative, based on bibliographic reviews, allowing a critical analysis of how these studies can be incorporated into teaching and awaken students' interest in science and technology, in addition to supporting the formation of critical citizens prepared for the challenges of modern society.