Improving educational tools Climate Detective, Coastal Zone Series (student and educator workbooks)

• Grant number: 25/18376-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Sylmara Lopes Francelino Gonçalves Dias
• Grantee: Mariane Gonçalves Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/03867-2 - Climate Education for high school students in the municipality of São Vicente-SP Brazil: development of teaching materials and teaching-learning strategies, AP.R

Abstract

This scientific initiation project aims to improve the Climate Detective student and educator workbooks for coastal environments and apply them in public secondary schools in the municipality of São Vicente (SP). Specifically, by the end of the project, it is expected that: i. Improvements and adjustments will be proposed for the Climate Detective teaching materials (volumes 1 and 2) to co-construct the special coastal zone series in a cross-cutting manner, considering the subjects provided for in the National Common Core Curriculum. Systematise the results and feedback obtained from the pilot application and interactions with the school community (teachers, students, and families), identifying potential improvements and difficulties in the process of including the themes of climate change, coastal zones, and climate justice in the school context of São Vicente. The following activities are planned: 1. Survey of scientific literature, reading and indexing of articles and academic-scientific materials on the project theme, especially suitable for the coastal zone; 2. research and collection of primary data in schools (pilot case) through interviews, questionnaires and direct observations, to obtain specific information about the region in which the schools are located; 3. Organise and analyse data and information obtained to identify patterns, trends, or relevant characteristics of the region that may influence the educational context and the needs of school communities; 4. Participate in the development, application, validation, and systematisation of teaching material content for secondary school students and instructional material for teachers; Assist in disseminating knowledge about climate change in the school community, promoting debates, theatrical presentations, writing texts, poems, songs, podcasts, audiovisuals, etc.; 5. Propose training spaces for teachers to apply the Climate Detective notebook with high school students; and 6. Adjust the teaching material for availability on the co.educa platform.EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTSThe participating scholarship recipient will learn qualitative research methods (including collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication strategy). The goal is to obtain skills in topics such as climate justice, social technologies, child and youth engagement, and internal and external communication of socio-environmental policies, among others. Experience participatory research strategies and practices and active teaching-learning methodologies relevant to the training of future education professionals. It is hoped that this proposal will, among other results, i. contribute to the diversification of the content repository of the co-educa platform; ii. create support material for teachers in state schools in São Vicente; and iii. to a certain extent, contribute to the National Common Core Curriculum based on its competencies and skills by teaching stage and school year. This research is also expected to become the embryo of social and participatory technology solutions for monitoring, preventing, and recovering from climate disasters.