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The multiple actions of animals and the possibilities of an interdisciplinary approach in Biology Teaching

Abstract

The research that is described below has been guided by two questions. Which animal behaviors are thought to be acceptable by high school students? How much do the perceived behavior support interdisciplinary teaching strategies in Biology? The majority of the data came from questionnaires and in-depth interviews with high school students in the isolated and enigmatic Tumucumaque Mountains national park in northern Brazil. The multiple actions of animals represent various possibilities for interdisciplinary approaches in biology teaching, according to the research questions and the students' responses. In this particular scenario, for instance, bees possess a distinct characteristic beyond the conventional action of transporting pollen grains from one flower to another. There are other actions exploited by humans in different activities, and considering the multiple actions of animals can lead to discussions in biology teaching in areas such as geography, environmental law, philosophy, and the visual arts.

Keywords
Secondary education; Biology teaching; Interdisciplinary approaches; Tropical forest; Animals

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação para a Ciência, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências, campus de Bauru. Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Campus Universitário - Vargem Limpa CEP 17033-360 Bauru - SP/ Brasil , Tel./Fax: (55 14) 3103 6177 - Bauru - SP - Brazil
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