Knowing the past to preserve the future: the use of shells and fossil replicas in Environmental Education workshops.

A utilização de conchas e réplicas de fósseis em oficinas de educação ambiental

Abstract

The study analyses the use of fossil and shell replicas in educational workshops as playful and sensory resources for environmental and paleontological education. The activities took place at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo and the Federal Institute of Ceará, in an open and interactive format, involving participants of various ages. Direct contact with representations of marine and terrestrial biodiversity enhanced learning through touch, observation, and experimentation. The results indicate that playfulness facilitates understanding of ecological concepts and encourages reflection on conservation and environmental changes. Intergenerational interaction broadened discussions on sustainability, showing that sensory practices effectively promote interest in biodiversity.