School garden as a practical alternative for teaching microbiology in basic education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21873/vol13n4202632

Abstract

When working with microorganisms, basic education teachers end up limiting themselves to theoretical classes, often leaving aside the practical approach. Therefore, we sought to demonstrate how school gardens can contribute to teaching microbiology in a practical way and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Soil samples were collected from public elementary school gardens participating in a program initiated by the Municipal Department of Education in partnership with the State Department of the Environment and Water Resources. The method used to isolate and quantify bacteria involved culturing them on Petri dishes, with quantification based on the number of colonies present in different soil samples. Additionally, soil samples were analyzed to determine nutrient levels necessary for vegetable growth. The results showed that school gardens provide an alternative methodology to overcome the challenges faced by basic education teachers in teaching microbiology. This approach allows for exploring soil biodiversity, understanding how agricultural practices affect this biodiversity, and recognizing the role of microorganisms as indicators of these changes. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of microbiology in promoting responsible production. By incorporating school gardens into the curriculum, educators can offer students a more practical and comprehensive understanding of microbiology, encouraging both scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship.

Published

2026-07-27

How to Cite

Phelipe Matheus Nunes, Feitosa Bezerra, A. V., dos Santos, J. R. D., do Nascimento Silva, A., Gomes de Almeida, B., & Porto Lopes, E. A. (2026). School garden as a practical alternative for teaching microbiology in basic education. DESAFIOS - Revista Interdisciplinar Da Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, 13(4), 561–574. https://doi.org/10.21873/vol13n4202632

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