Science and imagination in elementary school

Abstract

Our objective is to investigate how relationships between science and imagination are discursively constructed within a group of children in the first three years of elementary school. Based on Ethnography in Education, articulated with Science Education, we analyze events that demonstrate how references to the non-school context contribute to the teaching of science in a way articulated with imagination/creation activity. The results demonstrate the occurrence of: a science perspective primarily focused on results/products of science and another focused on procedures/processes of knowledge construction/practices; a form of creation activity related to the interaction with materials to investigate phenomena and another mainly related to the creation of imaginary narratives; and greater participation and enhancement of creation activity when talking about the space of the house in the school space.