Fósseis que contam histórias: uma sequência didática sobre a evolução da classe insecta

Abstract

The Insecta Class currently represents the most diverse group within the animal kingdom, accounting for approximately 60% of all known species on the planet. In Brazil, this diversity stands out with around 91,000 recorded hexapod species, reinforcing the country's importance in the global biodiversity context. The origin and evolutionary success of insects are related to their adaptive capacity, with structures such as a chitinous exoskeleton, functional wings, and complete metamorphosis. These organisms have a long evolutionary history documented in the fossil record, with the oldest fossils dating back to the Early Devonian. Paleontology, by studying these records, enables us to understand the origin and evolution of insects in connection with environmental and geological changes. However, both paleontology and the study of fossil insects are rarely addressed in basic education curricular documents, such as the PCN and BNCC, where the theme is treated in a limited manner. Faced with this gap, this work proposes the development of an interdisciplinary didactic sequence aimed at high school education, integrating knowledge of entomology and paleontology, with the goal of making teaching more meaningful and promoting a more complete scientific education. The methodology includes a bibliographic review and analysis of teaching materials, revealing the scarcity of content on fossil insects in the educational context. Thus, the proposal seeks to provide pedagogical support to teachers, highlighting the evolutionary history of insects and their importance in understanding environmental transformations throughout geological time.