Design Thinking applied as a methodology for solving problems in Chemistry teaching: a case study based on an environmental problem

Abstract

Design Thinking (DT) is an active methodology that supports the construction of knowledge. Students play an active role in the learning process, and the teacher serves as a mediator. The goal of this study is to investigate, using design thinking (DT) as a teaching methodology, how undergraduate students of Chemistry at a federal university went about creating prototypes to address environmental issues. A case study and a qualitative methodology were used in the three stages of the investigation to describe the steps students took to address environmental issues. The data analysis employed techniques from discursive textual analysis. Based on the results, it can be concluded that students utilized prior knowledge, their own cultural, economic, and social experiences, as well as their knowledge of chemicals, during DT.

Keywords
Chemistry teaching; Design thinking; Active methodology; Environmental issues; Problem solving