O ensino da radioatividade nas escolas a partir do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio

Abstract

Currently, the use of radioactivity has gained great prominence, thanks to its wide range of functionalities in the most diverse types of sectors. Despite this, there are great challenges regarding the dissemination of information on the topic. The National High School Examination – ENEM, can be a great ally in building knowledge focused on radioactivity, as its curricular components include themes that address radioactivity. Based on this, this study aims to investigate and analyze the frequency, in addition to the main characteristics of the questions present in the ENEM. The methodology used was the qualitative and quantitative analysis of radioactivity questions present in the last eleven years of the ENEM tests (2013 to 2023), by dividing these questions into categories, such as type of answer, contextualization, interdisciplinarity, visual elements and applicability of radiation. The results allow us to notice that the questions are predominantly qualitative nature, focusing on concerns related to the environment and the use of technologies that benefit from ionizing radiation, in addition, they almost ever have an interdisciplinary nature, mainly between Physics and Chemistry. Normally there is no use of visual resources in the questions. Technology in war artifacts was the most used applicability of radiation. It was possible to verify from the research that although the number of questions per year of radioactivity is very small, the ENEM satisfactorily contemplate contexts related to radioactivity, bringing perspectives that encompass its applicability in a way associated with the development of humanity and its social implications.