Sequência didática para o ensino de recursos hídricos: qualidade da água na bacia do ribeirão Ibirité.

Abstract

This study presents a didactic proposal for teaching water resources, focusing on the Ibirité Stream watershed and on elementary school students from a nearby school. The watershed, which plays an essential role in supplying water to the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (MRBH), faces recurring problems related to environmental degradation and the lack of public awareness regarding the responsible use of water. In this context, the study seeks to examine how didactic–experimental activities can contribute to students’ understanding of the topic and to the development of critical awareness concerning water resources. The proposal integrates theoretical, experimental, and field activities, structured in a didactic–experimental sequence tailored for the final years of Elementary School (6th to 9th grades) centered on teaching water resources in the Ibirité Stream watershed. The main goal is to promote educational practices that foster student protagonism, encourage observation of the local environment, and strengthen awareness of water conservation within the Geography curriculum. Among the proposed activities are the collection and analysis of water quality using the Ecokit, the Methylene Blue technique, and the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Environmental Quality of Rivers, which bring students closer to basic scientific investigation procedures. It is expected that students will develop a broader understanding of the importance of preserving water resources and recognize both their individual and collective roles in ensuring water quality within their communities. Through this didactic and experimental approach, the study aims to encourage more conscious, critical, and engaged students in the care of water resources in the Ibirité Stream watershed and in other regions of the country, contributing to the strengthening of participatory management.