Proposta de material didático para o ensino de ciências com a inserção de plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANCs)

Abstract

This work aimed to develop and implement an illustrated educational booklet on Unconventional Food Plants (UFPs), integrated with culinary workshops, for students in the final years of elementary school at a public school in the municipality of Ponta Grossa (Paraná, Brazil). The UFPs were introduced in a contextualized manner as an accessible, sustainable, and nutritionally rich food alternative, seeking to promote the appreciation of local biodiversity and the cultural recovery of traditional knowledge. The methodology adopted was a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. The educational booklet, developed using accessible language and illustrations, served as the central tool for classroom activities, complemented by a practical cooking workshop using regional UFPbased recipes. The results showed that the pedagogical approach sparked students’ interest, encouraged active participation in the activities, and facilitated the learning process in a playful and meaningful way. It was also observed that students shared the knowledge acquired with their families and communities, thereby extending the impact of environmental and food education beyond the school environment. The experience demonstrated that the use of active and interdisciplinary methodologies is effective in bringing students closer to science and local culture, raising awareness about sustainability, and encouraging healthier eating habits.