BUILDING PROTOCOLS TO TEACH PLANT ANATOMY THROUGH ACCESSIBLE LABORATORY PRACTICES

Abstract

One of the concerns of teachers in science teaching is the difficulties in the teaching-learning process resulting, in part, from the unavailability of physical and material structure. Notably, plant anatomy content is less attractive due to the absence of a laminarium and laboratories equipped with microscopes. The present work aimed to propose protocols for the preparation of histological slides with alternative and accessible materials for the observation of plant structures using a homemade microscope. For the protocols, easily accessible plant materials and alternative dyes found in pharmacies were used. The anatomical images were obtained using a homemade microscope with an attached cell camera of cell phone to demonstrate its quality and effectiveness. Using histological slides in the classroom provides attractive and motivating learning, contributing to a better understanding of more complex content and enabling the minimization of Botanical Imperception. This approach has been growing in the educational environment. Simple and low-cost alternatives offer significant interaction between the teacher and students and their understanding and proximity to content involving plant structures and botany.