The chemistry of perfumes: investigative methodology as tool for teaching chemistry

Abstract

This paper aims to use investigative teaching methodology, with central theme "chemistry of natural products", with chemistry of perfumes and things like that, as tool for teaching chemistry. This project was developed in “Current Issues for Teaching Chemistry II” course and applied in Pedagogical Residency Program, chemistry nucleus. It was divided into five stages: 1) historical and social contextualization about perfume and its importance in history; 2) Analysis of excerpts from a movie. 3) Scents and odors workshop; 4) Conducting an investigative experiment, which resulted in the production of natural perfumes; 5) Activity evaluation. Through the project carried out, the students expressed interest in the proposed theme and were able to apply the theoretical contents of organic functions and reactions in a practical way and with a greater understanding of the contents.