Contextualization

The environment is everything that surrounds us and influences our lives. It is composed of natural elements, such as rivers, lakes, forests, mountains, animals, etc. But it is also formed by elements created by human beings, such as houses, cities, farms, industries, etc. It is of great importance to understand how we, humans, relate to nature and the impacts that we cause on it with our way of life.

In recent years, the concern with the preservation of the environment has increased. Pollution, deforestation, the disorderly exploitation of natural resources, and global warming are problems that affect the lives of all of us. Therefore, the study of the environment is fundamental to guarantee a sustainable future for humanity.

In our study, we will focus on the impact that human actions have on the environment. Through this activity, students are expected to develop a greater awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting nature, and that they become agents of change in their communities.

Introduction to the Project

In this project, we will observe and analyze local human actions, how much they affect the environment, and how we can improve. The objective is to provide students with a more practical and realistic view of the human influence on the environment, and how we can do our part to mitigate these problems.

We believe that, through this activity, students will be able to better understand the importance of the environment for life on Earth, and how our daily actions can contribute to its preservation or degradation.

To deepen your knowledge about the environment, we suggest the following sources:

1. Book "O meio ambiente" by Dieter G. Muehe (https://www.amazon.com.br/Meio-Ambiente-Dieter-G-Muehe/dp/8532302773)
2. Articles and videos from Canal Futura about the Environment (https://canalfutura.org.br/tema/meio-ambiente/)
3. WWF-Brazil website, with various information about the environment's preservation (https://www.wwf.org.br/natureza_brasileira/)

Remember to always verify the reliability of your sources of information and seek to further your studies!

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Environmental Connection

Project Objective

This project aims to make students aware of local environmental problems, encouraging them to investigate, reflect, and propose sustainable solutions to improve their surroundings.

Detailed project description

In groups of 3 to 5, students will investigate an environmental problem in the community where they live, such as pollution, deforestation, water waste, garbage generation, among others. They will have to document this situation, interview residents and local authorities on the subject, research the topic on the internet or in books, and propose possible solutions to the problem.

Necessary materials

Notebook or sheets of paper for notes Pencils/pens Camera or cell phone to record observations (optional) Internet access and/or books for research

Detailed step-by-step guide to carrying out the activity

1. Problem Definition (suggested duration: 1 hour): The group should meet to discuss and choose a local environmental problem to investigate.

2. Observation (suggested duration: 1 hour): The group should go into the field to observe and record the chosen problem. It is important to make notes, take pictures, or make drawings to document the situation.

3. Interviews (suggested duration: 1 hour): Students should interview people in the community (teachers, parents, neighbors, public managers, etc.) to better understand the problem and collect different perspectives on the subject.

4. Research (suggested duration: 1 hour): The group should research the topic on the internet or in books, seeking to understand the causes and consequences of the problem, as well as possible solutions.

5. Solution Proposal (suggested duration: 1 hour): Based on the information collected, the group should develop a solution proposal for the problem.

6. Writing the Written Document (suggested duration: 1 hour): The group should prepare a detailed project report, containing the introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography sections.

Project Deliverables:

• Written report on the project, including the description of the problem investigated, the observations made in the field, the information collected in the interviews and research, the solution proposal developed by the group, and the bibliography used.
• Visual material (photos, drawings, graphs, etc.) that helps to document and understand the problem analyzed.
• Oral presentation of the project to the class, where students should explain the problem investigated, show the visual materials collected, present the solution proposal, and answer questions from colleagues and the teacher.

The preparation of the written report is an essential part of this project, as in it the students must organize and communicate the information collected in a clear and objective way. The report should be divided into four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

In the Introduction, the group should contextualize the theme of the project, explain why they chose to investigate this problem and what its relevance is to the community. In the Development section, the observations made in the field, the information collected in the interviews and research, and the solution proposal prepared by the group should be detailed. In Conclusions, the group should revisit the main points of the work, explaining what they learned from the project and how their conclusions can contribute to the solution of the environmental problem investigated. Finally, in Bibliography, the group should indicate all sources of information used in the project.