Adaptação de jogos populares para o ensino de ciências: o caso do “BioCel! O desafio da vida”

Abstract

This Course Completion Work discusses the potential of adapting popular games for the teaching of Natural Sciences, using as a case study the development of the educational game “BioCel! The challenge of life”, derived from the commercial game Pizzaria Maluca. The study starts from the understanding that the teaching of Cell Biology, often marked by expository approaches and abstract content, requires methodologies that promote students’ participation, symbolic representation and meaningful learning. The aim of this research was to understand the potential of adapting Pizzaria Maluca for the teaching of Cell Biology through an action research approach. Methodologically, the study involved a detailed analysis of the original game, the use of game analysis sheets, the definition of educational objectives based on the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, the selection of Cell Biology content and the development of successive prototypes (alpha and alpha 1.1) of BioCel, accompanied by internal testing and redesign. As a result, a stable alpha 1.1 prototype was obtained, organized into a board, organelle pieces, game cards and a rulebook, in which game progression depends on recognizing and correctly associating organelles and cellular functions. It is concluded that the adaptation of popular games has significant potential for Science Education, provided it is grounded in consistent theoretical foundations and in careful planning that articulates playfulness, educational objectives and teacher mediation.