In this paper we try to identify some conceptions of trainee physics teachers about environmental issues and to analyze physics teaching activities proposed by them when they decide to include environmental themes in their teaching practices. This investigation also allowed us to identify some obstacles that trainee physics teachers had while dealing with environmental problems in their classes. The data collection was carried out through the development of some activities in a class called Practice of Physics Teaching, which is part of the curriculum of an Undergraduate Physics course (Teaching License) of a public university of the state of São Paulo. Data analysis pointed out that future physics teachers' conceptions about environmental issues can prevent them from including such topics in their educational practices. Data analysis also revealed that trainee physics teachers don't have a broad understanding of the significance of environmental issues and the implications of environmentalism for cultural and pedagogical practices.
Environmental themes; Physics teaching; STS
