Scientific Literacy in the Early Years of Elementary School: a feasible experience

Abstract

This experience report discusses the importance of scientific literacy in the early years of elementary school, highlighting the need to develop critical and reflective skills in students in order to understand and apply scientific knowledge. The distinction between literacy and scientific literacy is fundamental, as the latter goes beyond basic reading and writing skills, promoting the ability to use scientific information in a contextualized way. In view of this, we report on the experience of elementary school students when they took part in the Festival of Technology, Innovation and Science - FESTIC in Samambaia, Brasília, DF. The students had the opportunity to produce a natural deodorant and have contact with basic and relevant science concepts such as experience, data, research, data tabulation, among others. The students' experience gave them a better understanding of what science is. And it reinforced the urgency of promoting scientific literacy from the early years of basic education.

Keywords: science, scientific literacy, experience, basic education.