Abstracts Astronomy & Space Science

Jocelyn Bell Burnell e os pulsares: um estudo histórico-epistemológico para a educação científica

by Larissa do Nascimento Pires

Abstract: Several researches in the area of Science Teaching evidence the importance of the development, in the classroom, of discussions about science, and not just the simple and usual presentation of scientific results. In this perspective, it is argued the potential of the didactic approach of elements of the History and Philosophy of Science (HPC) in order to promote fruitful reflections on the Nature of Science (NoS). Furthermore, investigations in the field of History of Women in Science highlight the importance of developing historical narratives about the trajectories and contributions of women scientists, in order to give rise to a more plural and diverse scientific education. The general objective of this dissertation was to develop a historical-epistemological study on the identification and understanding of the first pulsars, a scientific event carried out by the astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and to propose a Potentially Significant Teaching Unit on the subject to the perspective of teacher education in Physics and Astronomy. The studies developed, based on aspects of Documentary Analysis, in the form of articles, indicate the potential of the discussion of the history of the discovery of pulsars in reflections about NoS, such as serendipity in science and the importance of collectivity in the process of conceptual construction about a new phenomenon, through epistemological references such as Thomas Kuhn and Ludwik Fleck. Also, the studies suggest the possibility of discussing elements of Gender and Science that are manifested in the trajectory of Jocelyn Bell Burnell, such as the Matilda Effect, based on authors such as Margaret Rossiter and Londa Schiebinger. Finally, it is argued the proposal of a Potentially Significant Teaching Unit (PSTU), based on the educational assumptions of the Critical Significant Learning Theory (CSLT) of Marco Antônio Moreira, presents contributions in the sense of providing development in the classroom, of historical aspects about pulsars, promoting the discussion of elements on the History of Astronomy and on the History of Women Scientists in the process of education of Physics Teachers.