ANÁLISE DOS ECOSSISTEMAS COSTEIROS UTILIZANDO O MÉTODO CIENTÍFICO, COM ÊNFASE NA EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL.

The aim of this work was to use the scientific method as a pedagogical practice to study coastal ecosystems (mangroves, sandbanks and beaches) on the Ajuruteua Peninsula, with an emphasis on developing environmental education activities. Practical classes were held with data collection. In the restinga, plant samples were collected to make exsiccates, in the mangrove two areas were analyzed (one degraded and the other non-degraded) in relation to the structure of the mangrove forests, on the beach interviews were conducted with local residents and garbage samples were collected. The results showed that scientific methodology with an investigative approach is an efficient tool for learning, the students showed great interest in studying coastal ecosystems and actively participated in all stages of the work. They were able to learn more about the functioning of coastal ecosystems, their importance and how anthropogenic actions can affect them. Based on this knowledge, they were able to generate three mini-projects relating to the three environments studied, which were presented during the Enem Science event, held at the Mário Queiroz do Rosário State School, showing that practical lessons develop the student's investigative potential and are more effective in achieving the learning objectives than theoretical lessons, mainly because they enable better contact with the object of study. Thus, this work corroborates the pedagogical conceptions that point to a teaching practice geared towards the real needs of the students, who learned better through the construction of each stage of the scientific method, stimulated by direct contact with coastal ecosystems from an environmental education perspective. In order for this practice to be more effective, new initiatives, such as this one, need to be taken.