STEAM Approach Focusing on Natural Sciences and Geometry in the Proliferation of Pigeons

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26740/sjese.1.02.2025.6

Keywords:

STEAM Approach, Teaching Geometry, Natural Sciences

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the STEAM approach in teaching Natural Sciences and Geometry in a Brazilian school. It is an excerpt from a study conducted with a view to disseminating investigative and creative pedagogical practices in K-12 Education. The teaching experience based on the STEAM approach, which is the focus of this article, explored the problem of the proliferation of pigeons in the surroundings of the school community identified by the students themselves. The scientific methodology applied in this study was Action Research, of a qualitative and exploratory nature. The data sources were the logbook, questionnaires, multimedia recordings and the productions developed throughout the investigative and creative practice. The research was developed in a peripheral school in Natal/RN, in northeast Brazil, in a second-year high school class with 32 students, in which the study of Geometry was planned for the entire school year. The results showed that the integration of STEAM areas, such as pedagogical practices in combating the proliferation of pigeons involving Mathematics, focusing on Geometry, and Natural Sciences, mobilized Hoffer's (1981) skills and critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity, as well as providing opportunities for student protagonism. It is concluded that the STEAM approach placed the student at the center of the learning process and provided opportunities for the mobilization of cognitive and socio-emotional skills in an application relevant to the school community chosen by the students.

Author Biographies

Roberia Silva da Penha Lourenço, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Innovation in Educational Technologies at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (PPgITE-UFRN). Master’s degree in Innovation in Educational Technologies from PPgITE (UFRN - 2024). Specialist in the Teaching of Mathematics for High School from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN - 2018). Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education (UFRN - 2014), awarded with the ACADEMIC MERIT MEDAL, and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology (UFRN - 2019). Technician in Informatics (IFRN - 2010), with an internship certified by the Federal Police Department, Regional Superintendence of Rio Grande do Norte. Currently, I work as a Mathematics teacher in the State education system of Rio Grande do Norte and in the Municipal education system of Natal/RN. I participated in the Mathematics Tutorial Education Program (PET - Mathematics 2011-2014), developing activities such as tutoring sessions and organizing leveling short courses. I also worked as a scholarship holder in the “SmartMetropolis” project at the Digital Metropolis Institute (IMD - 2016) and in the project “Development and evaluation of technological tools in the teaching of parasitology and medical entomology” at IMD (2015). I am currently a member of the Interdisciplinary Group of Studies and Research in Informatics in Education (GIIfE) at UFRN and the Learning Objects Platform for Mathematics (OBAMA) project. I have experience in mathematics, education, programming languages, and computer maintenance. ORCID ID: 0009-0002-3540-9909.

Raíza de Araújo Domingos Soares, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Innovation in Educational Technologies at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (PPgITE-UFRN). Master’s degree in Innovation in Educational Technologies from PPgITE/UFRN. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Education from UFRN and a specialization in Higher Education Teaching from Universidade Potiguar (UNP). Currently works as a teacher at Myriam Coeli State School, located in Natal - RN, teaching Chemistry as well as elective and advanced curriculum courses. Worked for two years as a supervising teacher in the Institutional Teaching Initiation Scholarship Program (PIBID). Was a scholarship holder in the project entitled Constructive Practices for Learning Chemistry in Public Schools of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, and also served as a teaching assistant for the course Teaching of Chemistry I during her undergraduate studies. Currently participates in the Interdisciplinary Group of Studies and Research in Informatics in Education (GIIfE) at UFRN, linked to the research project Investigative and Creative Practices in Basic Education in Rio Grande do Norte through the STEAM Approach. She has experience and research interests in the areas of Chemistry Education, Sustainability, and Educational Technologies, with a focus on the STEAM Approach and Teacher Training.

Dennys Leite Maia, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Pedagogue (UECE), Specialist in Planning, Implementation, and Management of Distance Education (UFF), Master in Education (UECE), PhD in Brazilian Education (UFC), with a postdoctoral fellowship in STEAM Education (USP). Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), in the Digital Metropolis Institute (IMD), teaching in the Technical Course in Information Technology (TTI), the Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology (BTI) in the area of Educational Informatics, and in the Graduate Programs in Innovation in Educational Technologies (PPgITE) and in Education (PPGED). Pedagogical Coordinator at the Secretariat for Distance Education (SEDIS/UFRN) and Leader of the Interdisciplinary Group of Studies and Research in Informatics in Education (GIIfE), responsible for the Learning Objects Platform for Mathematics (OBAMA) and for Esteamulab. Serves as an evaluator for the National Higher Education Assessment System (SINAES) at the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (INEP) and for the State Council of Education of Rio Grande do Norte (CEE/RN). Former coordinator of PPgITE (2021-2025), member of the Special Committee on Informatics in Education of the Brazilian Computer Society – CEIE/SBC (2019-2022), and associate editor of the Brazilian Journal of Informatics in Education – RBIE (2023-2024). Main research areas include: Innovative pedagogical practices, STEAM Approach, Mathematics Education, and Teacher Education. Identifiers: ORCID: 0000-0002-9536-2025 | ResearcherID: C-4065-2018 | Scopus: 57191369042.

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Published

2025-10-31

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 02 (2025): STEAM Journal for Elementary School Education

Section

Articles
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