SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES IN BASIC EDUCATION: USE OF WASTE COOKING OIL IN BIOFUEL PRODUCTION AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TOOL TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

This work aims to report on the transformation of waste cooking oil into biodiesel, soap, and bioplastic, which can enable the insertion of science themes from the National Curricular Base content in a transversal and interdisciplinary manner for students and teachers in basic education. In this context, through students and teachers of the Professional Master's in Environmental Sciences at Univassouras, teachers were trained to work practically with Chemistry contents as recommended by the National Curricular Guidelines and Parameters. The professional training was supported by didactic material (follow-up module) and enabled the adoption of practical classes with process innovation where recycling artifacts and equipment, called alternative materials, were developed. Discarded toy car motors were used as an agitation system for the waste oil, and PET bottles were used as decanters for separating glycerin and biofuel, pieces of PVC pipes and wood for supports, and household stoves and burners as heating systems. The results are being evaluated and inserted into a follow-up report and will be part of dissertations by Master's students.