Da projeção audiovisual à reflexão pessoal: Podem os filmes realmente estimular a capacidade de resolução de problemas dos alunos?

This study explores the potential of films to stimulate problem-solving abilities, based on a case study with students aged 10 to 22 in the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. It investigates whether exposure to audiovisual projections, such as films, can encourage personal reflection, introspection and ultimately contribute to improving individual problem-solving abilities, a key aspect in contemporary education. A mixed-methods empirical research approach was used, applying a questionnaire to a diverse sample of students (N = 591). The study design consisted of exposing participants to a sequence of carefully selected animated short films, representative of the main youth issues, followed by debates. Then, the students were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire to observe their cognitive and emotional reactions. The results indicate a positive correlation between exposure to films and the construction of hypothetical problem-solving scenarios, with participants reporting new insights into handling potential future difficult situations in their own lives.