Use of the Potential of a Planetarium as a Non-Formal Environment for the Development of Advanced Student Organization on the Solar System Theme

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5335/rep.v32.16858

Keywords:

planetarium, meaningful learning, solar system, non-formal education

Abstract

The article evaluates the potential of a planetarium as a non-formal environment for the development of advanced knowledge organization among elementary school students regarding the Solar System. Using David Ausubel's Theory of Meaningful Learning, the qualitative research involved 26 students who participated in a session at the UTFPR Planetarium, Campus Campo Mourão. The activity included projections, visits to sundials and observatories, and interactive discussions. The results showed that the planetarium experience facilitated the connection of new knowledge with prior cognitive structures, promoting a deeper understanding of concepts such as gravity and planetary orbits. It is concluded that planetariums, when well-planned, are effective tools to complement formal education, stimulating interest in Astronomy and promoting meaningful learning.

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Author Biographies

  • Taisy Fernandes Vieira , Federal Technological University of Paraná

    Ph.D. in Education for Science and Mathematics from the State University of Maringá (UEM), Master's in Physics Teaching from the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) - Campus Campo Mourão. Holds degrees in Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences. Works as a Physics teacher for the Paraná State Department of Education (SEED), Colégio Alfa Rede de Ensino, and Colégio Vicentino Santa Cruz.

  • Michel Corci Batista, Federal Technological University of Paraná

    He holds a degree in Physics from the State University of Maringá and in Philosophy from Uninter, a master's and a doctorate in Education for Science and Mathematics, also from the State University of Maringá, and completed a postdoctoral internship at the University of Brasília in the area of ​​Physics Teaching with an emphasis on learning theories applied to teaching proposals. He is a professor in the Physics Department of the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Campo Mourão campus, a permanent professor and assistant coordinator of the Professional Master's Program in Physics Teaching (UTFPR - Campo Mourão), a professor of the Postgraduate Program in Teaching Human, Social and Natural Sciences (UTFPR - Londrina) and of the Postgraduate Program in Education for Science and Mathematics at the State University of Maringá. He is an ambassador for NASE (Network for Astronomy School Education) in Brazil. He is the leader of the LADECA research group (Laboratory for the Development of Science and Astronomy Teaching). He is the coordinator of the Rodolpho Caniato Astronomical Center of UTFPR - Campo Mourão and coordinator of the Program for the development of Science and Astronomy teaching at UTFPR - Campo Mourão. He is a member of NAPI (New Arrangements for Research and Innovation) - Extreme Phenomena of the Universe. He is the coordinator of line 4: Education in non-formal spaces and scientific dissemination) of ENPEC (National Meeting for Research in Science Education). He has experience in the area of ​​Physics, with an emphasis on TEACHING AND DISSEMINATION OF PHYSICS and ASTRONOMY, working mainly on the following themes: Teaching and Learning Processes and Sequences for Teaching Science (Physics) and/or Astronomy; Initial and continuing teacher training for Teaching Science (Physics) and/or Astronomy; Education in non-formal spaces and dissemination of Astronomy in non-formal environments. Active Methodologies and STEAM approach in Teaching Science (Physics) and/or Astronomy.

  • Camila Maria Sitko, Federal Technological University of Paraná

    She is an adjunct professor at the Federal Technological University of Paraná, Campo Mourão campus. She is the coordinator of the extension project Clube das EstrELAS: Elas na Astronomia, for which she is an extension scholarship holder from Itaipu Parquetec. She is the coordinator of the CEFEIDAS research group. She is a permanent professor in the National Professional Master's Program in Physics Teaching - Campo Mourão campus. She has a PhD in Science Teaching and Mathematics Education from the State University of Londrina, in the area of ​​History and Philosophy of Science. She also has a master's degree in Physics from the State University of Londrina, in the area of ​​Stellar Astrophysics. She has a degree in Physics from the State University of Centro-Oeste - Paraná. She is a researcher in the areas of Education in Astronomy, History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science, especially in the issues of women's participation in Science, Non-Formal Spaces, Active Teaching and Learning Methodologies.

  • Oscar Rodrigues dos Santos, Federal Technological University of Paraná

    He holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in Physics from the State University of Maringá (UEM), and a post-doctorate from the Physics Institute of the University of São Paulo (IFUSP - USP). He is currently a professor at the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), teaching Engineering and the Master's degree in Physics teaching. He has experience in the area of ​​lyotropic liquid crystals with an emphasis on Equation of State, Phase Equilibrium and Phase Transitions. He has taught the following subjects: Differential and Integral Calculus I, Differential and Integral Calculus II, Differential Equations, Physics Applied to Aesthetics, General and Experimental Physics I, General and Experimental Physics II, Introduction to Calculus, Teaching Practice of Physics and Mathematics. He also served as Head of the Physics Department (Dafis) for two terms and coordinated postgraduate courses between 2005 and 2008. He is a member of the local NASE (Network for Astronomy School Education) group in Brazil. Member of the National Institute of Science and Technology of Complex Fluids (INCT-FCx).

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Published

2025-11-10

Issue

Vol. 32 (2025): PUBLICAÇÃO CONTÍNUA

Section

Dossiê - Diálogos entre Ciência e Sociedade: o papel da Popularização, Divulgaçã

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Os direitos autorais são mantidos pelos autores, os quais concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação. 

How to Cite

Use of the Potential of a Planetarium as a Non-Formal Environment for the Development of Advanced Student Organization on the Solar System Theme. Revista Espaço Pedagógico, [S. l.], v. 32, p. e16858, 2025. DOI: 10.5335/rep.v32.16858. Disponível em: https://ojs.upf.br/index.php/rep/article/view/16858. Acesso em: 30 nov. 2025.

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