THE LINEAR ICONOGRAPHY OF EVOLUTION FROM PERSPECTIVES OF BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS

ABSTRACT:

The march of hominids has strongly influenced educators’ perception about the evolutionary theory. In the present study, we analyze if this representation of evolution affects educators’ perception on science and science teaching. We performed a qualitative research with the participation of teachers from a school of the suburbs of São Paulo, we noted a lack of deep understanding of the theory of evolution, its iconographic representations and the importance of the evolutionary concept of common ancestry. Analyzing the answers of teachers of Natural Sciences and those of other areas, it is perceived that an interdisciplinary approach is little present, distancing educators from a broader understanding of the historical context of scientific theories. The march of progress seems to help perpetuating the idea of the inexorability of “biological progress”, with the white man as the highest evolutionary stage. A great part of teachers based their perception of science in superficial and common sense notions.

Keywords:
Evolutionary theory; Eugenics; Science teaching