Corantes alimentícios sintéticos como tema contextualizador no ensino de Química

Abstract

This work aims to discuss the difficulties presented by the students for learning chemistry, using as a focal point the theme "food colors" through a contextual approach. The reported didactic proposal in this work was completed in high school chemistry class of the Youth and Adult Education - EJA (2nd half of the 3rd stage) with supervision and coordination of the teaching of the partner school. The methodology involved the application of a diagnostic questionnaire to the students to guide the elaboration of a didactic sequence on the chosen theme and its execution. The proposal elaborate was directed to the realization of practices by the students, especially the extraction of natural dyes, analysis of the labels of foods and drinks and simple chromatographic analysis, addressing the separation of dyes present in commercial candy. The students presented difficulties with the technical approach of the theme, but correctly related the concepts that were treated in a way closer to their experience. The activities allow to conclude that the teaching of chemistry to students of the EJA should consider, among other factors, the of everyday knowledge that the students take to the school and bring it closer to the scientific knowledge, so that the students can give meaning to the actions proposed by the school.