A engenharia sob a ótica dos pré-universitários e o impacto das feiras de ciências

Abstract

A changing world, with increasing needs of global science and technology solutions, makes the demand for scientists and engineers a major issue for competitiveness and economic and social development of any country. Young people should be increasingly motivated and prepared in K-12 education in order to provide society with not only more, but better undergraduate students and engineering professionals. Thus, the knowledge of attitudes, thoughts, opinions and perceptions of preuniversity students regarding engineering is crucial to act on increasing the number of future engineers and to predict their persistence in the area. Because it is in high school that young people make their first choices about careers, participating in the development of science research projects and presentation at science fairs may play an important role not only in this decision, but in the development of essential skills and competencies to succeed in any career, especially in engineering. To understand and analyze the universe of high school students, in this context, questionnaires were applied in five research situations, whose target audience were young pre-university students, involved or not in science fair activities, and in another situation with teachers. Based on this research data, , young people had positive attitudes and perceptions towards engineering and engineers, regardless of gender, age, type of school and type of high school course attended. However, students involved with the development of research projects and participation in science fairs showed more positive attitudes and more self-confidence than those not involved. The intention of studying engineering was high in all research situations, particularly in the areas of civil and electrical engineering. Furthermore, both youth and teachers recognized in the activities related to the development of research projects and participation in science fair, opportunities to develop skills and competencies necessary for professional success in a globalized world. This research was conducted to understand and analyze the universe of secondary education students related to engineering and engineers with the intention to support future actions on increasing the number of future engineers and to predict their persistence in the area. Moreover, it is expected that results of this research may also contribute to and support the development of governmental programs and proposals for high school curricula changes in in order to meet the needs of awakening, developing and enhancing new XXI century skills and competencies.