TEACHING BOTANY THROUGH THE SENSES: THE POTENTIAL OF THE SENSORY GARDEN AS A NON-FORMAL EDUCATIONAL SPACE

Abstract

In basic education, the teaching of botany faces challenges related to a lack of teaching methodologies and hands-on activities with live plant materials. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the potential of the Sensory Garden at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) as a non-formal educational space for teaching content related to the Plant Kingdom. To this end, a qualitative and exploratory study was conducted with 11th-grade students at Colégio de Aplicação, a public high school in the federal school system of the state of Sergipe. The activity was carried out in three phases: 1) administration of a diagnostic questionnaire, 2) a visit to the Sensory Garden, and 3) a post-experience questionnaire. Through data triangulation using the Likert scale, it was possible to identify the students’ main difficulties regarding specific botanical terms, the disconnect between humans and nature, the high level of receptiveness toward the Sensory Garden as a non-formal learning space, as well as the opportunity to discuss with participants the importance of plant conservation. Thus, given the scarcity of studies on the Sensory Garden, we emphasize the need for research that analyzes its potential as a teaching and learning tool, thereby promoting these spaces.