O uso do episódio histórico de Arquimedes como fator motivador nas aulas de mecânica dos fluidos

Abstract

The use of history and philosophy of science for teaching Physics is increasing, according to published research (FORATO; MARTINS; PIETROCOLA, 2010). This work consisted in the analysis of a historical myth as a motivator for teaching physics. Opted for the historical episode of Archimedes and the crown of King Hieron II of Syracuse, which is known by most students, without being sure of its veracity and the contents of physics that few explored. The research consisted in the use of the History of Science for the teaching of physics to analyze the contributions that their use is through the development of a didactic sequence, which was based on historical episode of Archimedes and the Hieron II of Syracuse king crown, and application of this Didactic Sequence (DS) in class in high school. Based on the literature of the area, the working theme is Fluid Mechanics, which is little explored in the classroom. Didactic Sequence comprised four classes which address an experiment content and density, pressure, buoyancy and surface tension of water. The application of DS was filmed, and the data collection was also obtained by the logbook and the activity that the students performed. The students did an activity at the end of SD to evaluate the content presented during the four classes. The research wanted to raise the contributions obtained to physics teaching with the application of the Didactic sequence and the use of the History of Science, the raised contributions were compared with the contributions indicated by the specialized literature. More attractive and interesting lessons were one of the contributions identified by the survey.