Students' interest in Natural Sciences and its relationship with the common Brazilian Curricular Common Core

Abstract

The present study is dedicated to discussing the preferences of students in the Final Years of Elementary School in relation to topics of interest in Natural Sciences classes. The investigation was carried out in a state school in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, by asking students about their science preferences. The results were grouped within the Thematic Units (UT) of the Natural Sciences Area of ​​the Brazilian  Curricular Common Core (BNCC). The results show the preference for the UT Life and Evolution to the detriment of the others presented by the BNCC. The results are in line with the data collected in a state sample of the ROSES questionnaire - Relevance of Science Education. Based on knowledge of the topics of greatest interest to students, public policies and teaching activities can be delineated, mainly to encourage the active participation of young people in Science classes and their motivation to learn.