Blog

26/05/2025

Experimental Teaching: A Necessary Transformation in Brazilian Science Education

Traditional science education, based on theoretical lectures and memorization, has proven insufficient to promote a deep understanding of scientific concepts. Experimental teaching therefore emerges as a proven effective alternative for engaging, motivating, and improving student performance.
The Scientific Value of Experimental Teaching
Scientific practice is inseparable from experimentation. Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton, landmarks of the scientific revolution, consolidated the pillars of the experimental method as an instrument for validating theory and constructing knowledge. Experimental teaching translates this legacy into the classroom, promoting active learning, critical reasoning and the autonomous construction of knowledge.
Evidence of Impact on Learning
The meta-analysis conducted by Freeman et al. (2014), with more than 225 studies and 29,000 students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses, demonstrated that active teaching methodologies (such as experimental teaching) increase average test scores by 6% and reduce failure rates by 55% when compared to traditional teaching.
Complementarily, Hake (1998) analyzed data from 6,542 students and found that courses with interactive methods presented learning gains twice as high as traditional courses, reinforcing the effectiveness of the experimental approach in teaching physics.
Real Cases: Youth and Adult Education in Brazil
A project carried out with EJA classes in Acre demonstrated that the inclusion of Experimental practices in subjects such as Optics, Electricity, and Magnetism significantly improved student engagement and retention. Questionnaires administered after class showed that over 75% of students were able to correctly describe physical phenomena and their applications, demonstrating concrete gains in understanding and interest in the subject.
CIDEPE's Experience
CIDEPE is a benchmark in offering equipment for experimental teaching, promoting a living and accessible science for public and private schools throughout Brazil. From mobile laboratories to With physics, chemistry, and biology teaching kits, the institute works to make experimentation a reality in the classroom. Conclusion Promoting experimental teaching means investing in transformative, critical, and effective education. Based on robust evidence and successful practices, it is imperative that educators, administrators, and public policy makers prioritize this approach as a central axis of national scientific literacy.