Problem-solving methodology from an STS perspective: a proposal for the teaching of electrochemistry

This work investigates the contributions of the problem-solving (PS) methodology to the teaching of electrochemistry from an STS (science, technology, and society) perspective. The research was undertaken with 82 students from four classes of the 3rd year of high school, at a state public school in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil). Two problems were used, both complying with the characteristics of an effective problem. The research data were obtained from the problem solutions proposed by the students, as well as from the records in the field diary of the researcher. These documents were examined by content analysis, based on categories defined a priori. Analysis of the results showed that the PS methodology contributed to the learning of the students and enabled association between the electrochemistry contents and technological, social, and environmental issues.