Divulgando a paleontologia: um relato de experiência da mostra de fósseis no Festival Universitário de Inverno, CES/UFCG 2024.

Abstract

Paleontology is the science that studies past life through fossils and contributes to understanding the history of the earth and the evolution of living beings. Despite its relevance, this content is still underutilized in basic education, highlighting the need for strategies that bring this knowledge closer to the public. In this context, scientific outreach actions become important to broaden access to Paleontology in a clearer and more accessible way. This work aimed to report on the experience of organizing and carrying out the Fossil Exhibition during the 13th University Winter Festival (FUI), promoted by UFCG/CES Campus Cuité-PB, highlighting its contributions to the scientific dissemination of Paleontology and its teaching. The methodological procedure consisted of an experience report of the Fossil Exhibition in August 2024. The target audience included teachers, students from basic education (elementary and high school), university academics, and the community in general. The exhibition was systematized in four stages: 1st Planning meeting; 2nd Decoration and preparation of the site; 3rd Organization of the material; and 4th Execution of the activity. The data obtained during the activity were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The results elucidated the participation of 400 visitors in the Fossil Exhibition of the 13th FUI, CES-UFCG. A large part of the students expressed that they had never had direct contact with fossils, knowing the subject mainly through television and the internet. Basic education teachers highlighted the importance of the activity to complement what is learned in the classroom. They emphasized the direct contact with fossils in facilitating the understanding of the content and the integration with other disciplines. The general public evaluated the exhibition positively, mainly for the opportunity to see real fossils up close, material that many had never had contact with. As points that could be improved, the public cited the expansion of the physical space of the exhibition and the increase in the visiting time. It is concluded that the Fossil Exhibition contributed significantly to the scientific dissemination of Paleontology, in addition to bringing the public closer to the paleontological collection and helping to reduce the conceptual gap related to the subject.