Comics as an option to approach History and Philosophy of Science in the teaching of chemical elements: The example of Lithium

Abstract

As a result of a pilot study that aimed to add History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) in Chemistry teaching at high school through comics, this paper, aiming at the methodological improvement of a larger research, aims to analyze the adequacy of the data collection instrument and the data analysis process, as well as the potential of a comic designed to carry out a historical-philosophical approach and to provide an improvement in the notions related to chemical elements and the scientific process. Analyzed through Content Analysis, the results obtained through questionnaires indicate that this type of material and approach are capable of improving such notions. However, the study revealed not only the potential of this methodological strategy, but also its limitations, which could be improved in the final research, which includes: greater contextualization of questions and mediation by the researcher, which can be done through conversation circles and participant observation, in addition to reinforcing some ideas throughout the comic.