Vivência e contextualização para a conservação do bioma Caatinga no semiárido baiano

Abstract

The research “Experience and Contextualization for the Conservation of the Caatinga Biome in the Semi-Arid Region of Bahia” proposed educational strategies aimed at raising awareness and promoting the conservation of the Caatinga Biome, seeking to address gaps in formal education about this unique ecosystem. The study was conducted with students from the Centro Estadual de Educação Profissional Prof. Paulo Batista Machado, in Senhor do Bonfim, Bahia, specifically with the 3rd-year class of the Technical Course in Environmental Studies. The methodological approach adopted was qualitative and collaborative, including the assessment of students’ prior knowledge, participatory educational activities, and technical visits to EMBRAPA Semiárido and the Caatinga Fauna Museum (CEMAFAUNA/UNIVASF) in Petrolina, Pernambuco, as well as demonstrations of learning through artistic productions. As an educational product, a pedagogical guide was developed to support educators in addressing topics related to the Caatinga in a dynamic and contextualized way. The research is structured into seven main sections. The results obtained from classroom observations and the comparison of pre- and post-questionnaires revealed that the stigmatized perception of the Caatinga— focused mainly on aridity and scarcity—gave way to a broader and more positive view. Students came to recognize not only the environmental characteristics, but also the social, cultural, and historical aspects that shape the identity of the semi-arid region. This progress fostered a deeper understanding of the importance of conserving and valuing the biome, highlighting it as a natural and cultural heritage that must be protected. The research also demonstrated the relevance of an education grounded in experience, dialogue, and contextualization, since these strategies allowed students to feel part of the reality under study, connecting scientific knowledge with practical experience. This approach further contributes to the development of critical and aware individuals, capable of adopting sustainable attitudes and recognizing the Caatinga as a unique biome, essential to the socio-environmental balance of the Brazilian semi-arid region.