Innovative Methods of Teaching Organic Chemistry and their relationship with the environment

Abstract

Nowadays, the fast development of technology urges schools and teachers to elaborate teaching
methods that motivates students. Hence, by understanding the relevance of encouraging the search
for knowledge, we used in this project different methodologies focused on playfulness such as games,
mind maps, parodies, dramatization, Chemistry experiment workshops, technical visits, among
others. The subject of our project is Organic Chemistry and we approached its major topics in the
context of the daily lives of students, in addition to highlighting the relationship between Organic
Chemistry and the environment, in order to improve knowledge acquisition. Thus, we sought to both
encourage the study of Organic Chemistry and raise awareness about environmental protection in a
playful fashion. We conducted the project in four stages according to the following topics: (1)
Classification of organic compounds, (2) Hydrocarbons, (3) organic compounds of oxygen and (4)
organic nitrogen-containing compounds. Pre-tests and post-tests were performed in each stage to
assess the evolution of knowledge acquisition. The students showed enthusiasm and participated
actively in the process. The group work enabled not only greater teacher-student and teacher-teacher
interactions but also a great performance in the post-tests that varied from 71% to 90%. The project
enabled the construction of critical thinking on society and its behavior, giving the students the
opportunity to position themselves against incorrect attitudes – forming, thus, citizens capable of
defending and contributing to the natural environment by prioritizing the protection of the environment in which they live.