THE IMPACTO OF THE COSMOS PROJECT ON THE SCIENTIFIC TRAINING OF BASIC EDUCATION STUDENTS FOR THE ASTRONOMY OLYMPICS

Abstract

This research had as general objective to analyze the impacto f the Cosmos Project in the scientific formation of the students of the basic education in the astronomy olympics. In this way, the following specific objectives followed: to identify what scientific knowledge about astronomy the students had before entering the preparations for the Cosmos Project; verify the way that the Cosmos Project has been working with students for the astronomy olympics. To evaluate the scientific knowledge acquired by the students after the preparatory activities of the Cosmos Project for the astronomy olimpics; and to analyze the participants’ perceptions about the performance of the Cosmos Project that indicates its impact. In view of this, data collection was carried out with the following instruments: structured questionnaire addressed to students in the initial and final stages of the preparatory phase, with multiple choice questions on astronomy concepts remotely, observations and interviews directed to the Project coordinators and to the teacher-monitors about the activities of the Cosmos Project, and finally, two questionnaires with open and closed questions directed to the students at the beginning and at  the end of the preparatory. Therefore, the treatment of the data was through the analysis of the results of the questionnaires; analysis of the contente of the interviews, in addition to a descriptive analysis of the research. It brings as a scientific contribution the record of the impacto of the Cosmos Project in the formation of scientific concepts in the preparation for the Astronomy Olympics. The results we achieved showed that the Cosmos Project had a very big impacto on the formation of the Astronomy concepts of elementar and high school students in the city of Manaus, with a theoretical and practical methodology of classes Every week, which gave highlights and projected the students participating in the Olympics, including winning medals. Having a good perception on the parto f the students who were motivated to continue studying about Astronomy