Presentation of the 1st Workshop for Inclusive Teaching of Life Sciences Leandro Mantovani de Castro, Odair José Garcia de Almeida

Abstract

In recent years, educational policies aimed at individuals with disabilities have been discussed and recommended by government agencies, leading to the creation of several programs in favor of inclusion, as well as the implementation of infrastructure and teaching resources that meet the appropriate needs, with the distribution of specific teaching materials, in addition to continuing education courses. However, many educators still report a lack of preparation to face this reality. Given this scenario, the curriculum of undergraduate courses has undergone restructuring, including aspects for an education that meets the demands of students with special needs, such as the inclusion of the LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language) subject. On the other hand, Science Education has a long way to go in relation to inclusive education, from elementary school to higher education, from infrastructure (classrooms and laboratories) that are adequate and accessible to people with mobility disabilities, to methodologies and devices that can promote inclusion in fact.

Concerned with the quality of human resources training in the educational field, the São Paulo State University (UNESP) promotes inclusive education through programs with teaching projects, connecting undergraduate students with teachers and students from the public school system, providing the development of instruments that can help improve teaching-learning processes, as well as teaching practices. The development of two of these projects, more specifically, the Bio.Tátil and Jardim Sensorial projects at Lar das Moças Cegas de Santos, led to the organization of the 1st Bio.Inclusão Fair in 2017, and aimed to offer the population a non-formal teaching space, in the format of a science fair, open mainly to the special education public of Baixada Santista. In 2018, in addition to promoting the 2nd Bio.Inclusão Fair, the 1st Workshop for Inclusive Teaching of Life Sciences was held. During the event, topics such as public policies aimed at the education of students with disabilities; inclusive teaching methodologies and scientific advances in the area of ​​genetics were discussed. Additionally, a symposium was held with the presentation of papers. These papers are gathered in this Special Volume of the UNISANTA Bioscience Journal, and address the development of methodologies, teaching resources and reports of experiences within the perspective of inclusive education.

Special thanks to Universidade Santa Cecília (UNISANTA) through the Director of the Pedagogy Area Prof. Dr. Fábio Giordano, to the teaching team of Lar das Moças Cegas de Santos, to Grupo Pet Litoral of UNESP in São Vicente, to Universidade Estadual Paulista (Programa Núcleos de Ensino/PROGRAD/UNESP), as well as to all the volunteers for their support in carrying out the event.

Prof. Dr. Leandro Mantovani de Castro

Prof. Dr. Odair José Garcia de Almeida

Professors of the Institute of Biosciences

Campus do Litoral Paulista - UNESP, São Vicente (SP)

Editors specially invited for the UNISANTA Bioscience Volume

I Workshop for Inclusive Teaching of Life Sciences