Universidade da maturidade e ecoponto na escola: o diálogo de tecnologias sociais em prol da educação intergeracional e ambiental na Amazônia Legal

Abstract

In the context of the Graduate Program in Education in the Amazon – EDUCANORTE, under the research line of Knowledge, Language, and Education, this study explores the relationship of educational practices with the interaction of two Social Technologies: “Ecoponto in School” and the “University of Maturity” - UMA/UFT. The primary objective of this thesis was to develop an action proposal to work with intergenerational education Social Technologies, grounded in the findings and their potential for replicability. The research was conducted at the at the UMA/UFT center; e João e Maria Municipal Center for Early Childhood Education; and the Vinicius de Morais Full-Time School during 2022 and 2023. The specific objectives were to: identify the Social Technology of the University of Maturity at UFT as a benchmark in Lifelong Education; interpret the Social Technology of “Ecoponto in School” as a model for Environmental Education processes; document the dialogues constructed between these educational technologies; and discuss how the application of Social Technologies impacts the daily lives of educational communities. This research adopts a qualitative case study, supported by the phenomenological approach, to address the guiding question: How do UMA academics and the educational community perceive the dialogue between these two Social Technologies in their practice? Data collection included bibliographic and documentary analysis, photographic records, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The material was analyzed using Bardin's (1977) content analysis framework. The “Ecoponto in School” Project, initiated in 2013, found in UMA/UFT, in 2014, a way to engage children to achieve Environmental Education, with intergenerational interactions fostering mutual benefits from coexistence during learning moments with feelings of affection. This interaction led to meaningful learning, generation, and dissemination of knowledge, experiences, and new values regarding environmental issues in the daily lives of across different generations. The process consisted of empowering the elderly with the course "Sustainability for All Ages", enabling them to understand the theme and apply it in schools. In the educational units, creative and enjoyable intergenerational practices were employed, exploring various artistic expressions such as music, dance, theater, and poetry. The classes were conducted by UMA/UFT academics, with the participation of volunteer students from “UniCatólica do Tocantins”. Through interactive and innovative methods, the objectives were achieved, where the exchange of experiences and life stories of the participants culminated in the interaction of Social Technologies (ST), through intergenerationality and environmental education. The results indicate the intense interaction between the studied STs, where discussions and learning on the theme of Intergenerational Environmental Education took place. Together, “Ecoponto in School” and “University of Maturity” transcended the confines of schools and the university through collaborative efforts. Technical productions are presented as a legacy from researcher- extensionists, with the aim of ensuring that Intergenerational Education will gain more prominence in school curricula and hoping that the debate will continue to progress. The proposed action plan for implementing Social Technology: "Between Generations - A Society for All Ages!" and the "Draft Bill for the Public Policy on Intergenerational Education" was presented and delivered to representatives of UMA/UFT centers at the National Meeting in Araguaína, 2023.