CONTENT ANALYSIS OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES IN TEXTBOOKS IN THE AREA OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND THEIR TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

Biogeochemical cycles play a fundamental role in maintaining life on planet Earth and can be explored in various ways within the field of Natural Sciences and their Technologies. Considering the importance of biogeochemical cycles in education, we highlight textbooks as a pedagogical resource that helps teachers and students connect scientific concepts to everyday life in a contextualized manner. Given the significance of textbooks in the school context, it is necessary to investigate how these topics are addressed. Thus, this article aimed to analyze the approaches to biogeochemical cycles in Natural Sciences and Technology textbooks designed for the New High School curriculum. Data collection was conducted through texts and images, which were later subjected to content analysis based on predefined criteria. The evaluation criteria included theoretical content and language, visual elements and contextualization, and recommended exercises. Overall, the results revealed distinct approaches among the analyzed textbooks, as well as some limitations that may directly impact students' learning processes.