Structure of Matter: Structure of Matter: seeking discuss History of Science and Concept Maps in Higher Education

Abstract

The objective of this study is  present the results of a study of the historical episodes of contributions in the conceptual learning about the structure of matter, conducted with undergraduate students in chemistry, which used concept maps as a tool to address the students' knowledge. In recent years, it has increased the duties to the study of chemistry, classified by high school students as a difficult subject, complicated and with a high on learning by memory character. Given the importance of the History of Science for Chemistry Teaching, particularly in regard to discussions about the development of scientific knowledge process and concept maps (MC) as an alternative in contrast to traditional methods of assessment. According to this perspective, we highlight the conceptual maps as a tool to assess how some undergraduates in chemistry organize their knowledge about the structure of matter light of the historical debates and episodes of the History of Science. The results indicate a conceptual evolution of licensees around the structure of the matter, especially as regards the concept epistemology, however, some students had significant difficulties in establishing relations, and other criteria present in MC, according to the proposed Novak, which can be indicative not only of confusion in understanding the concepts but mainly in understanding the construction of the MC.