The plant fossils and the genesis of coal: A study visit to the carboniferous douro basin [Os fósseis vegetais e a génese do carvão: Uma visita de estudo à bacia carbonífera do douro]

Abstract

This work shows an experience under Supervised Teaching Practice (PES), which aims to conduct a field trip to the Carboniferous Douro Basin according to the Nir Orion model. Addressing the plant fossils and the genesis of coal, we intend to investigate if the field trips, organized according to the proposed model, contribute to the apprenticeship of Biology and Geology by the students. The case study was the research method adopted and a convenience sample was used (11th grade class). For data collection we resorted to the technique of questionnaire with a Likert scale, a test for diagnostic evaluation before the field trip and, subsequently, a test of formative assessment identical to the previous one. Most students found the field trips important for learning the content of Biology and Geology, and except for one question, they did better in the formative evaluation test conducted after the field trip. (c) 2014 LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Geologia e Energia IP.