THE PALYNOTHECA COLLECTION AND THREE DIMENSIONAL MODELS OF POLLEN GRAINS AND SPORES AS TEACHING RESOURCES FOR A MEANINGFUL LEARNING OF BOTANY (Atena Editora)

Abstract

This article aims to explain the use of the biological collection of microscope slides containing pollen from Angiosperms and Gymnosperms and spores of bryophytes, ferns and lycophytes, or Palynotheca, and the respective three-dimensional models, as a strategy for didactic representation of components of plant biodiversity that are not visible to the naked eye, which can help to reduce “botanical blindness”. This phenomenon occurs due to the difficulty of human beings in establishing a direct relationship with plants. By relating theory to practice, in a continuous discovery approach, students are interested. The use of technological equipment such as optical microscopes and stereomicroscope and the existence of an organized collection with microscope slides containing pollen grains and spores characteristic of several botanical families facilitates morphological and taxonomic learning in the classroom and in Environmental Education events. In addition, the use of three-dimensional anatomical and morphological models as a tangible didactic resource and facilitator in the perception and understanding of microscopic plant shapes and structures can help when microscope slides and microscopes are not available. Despite being incipient, the use of both resources has shown relevant results in the teaching of Biology as a concrete and contextualized strategy for the inclusion of plants in the school routine and in the dissemination to the general public, including the visually impaired, providing a playful and significant information on the contents of Botany. In addition, Palynotheca is fundamental for the development of research in various branches of scientific investigation.