Mapping and analysis of non-formal education spaces with potential for teaching botany in the 2nd year of high school in Brejo Santo, Ceará

Abstract

Non-formal educational spaces can be defined as geographical environments that provide conditions for the development of teaching and learning, generating educational actions. This study mapped and analyzed non-formal spaces with potential for teaching botany in the 2nd year of High School in the municipality of Brejo Santo, Ceará. Initially, informal interviews were conducted with local trail explorers to identify vegetated areas. The selection of sites considered criteria of proximity and accessibility. Five locations were selected and visited for photographic records and for evaluating their educational potential, with observations of the existing plant diversity. The results showed that the analyzed spaces present strong potential for teaching botany, encompassing aspects of plant morphology, taxonomy, and ecology. Chico Leite Square and the General Hospital Square proved suitable for studying plant diversity and classification, while the Didactic Garden and the Pedra do Urubu Complex stood out for their variety of native and exotic species. The Porcos Dam proved to be a favorable environment for discussing ecology and sustainability due to the presence of aquatic and epiphytic species. Non-formal spaces thus demonstrate their relevance as pedagogical resources capable of bringing students closer to the local flora and promoting contextualized learning.