Browsing by Author "Martinho, Marco"
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- An experience on: how to disseminate scientific knowledge to the communityPublication . Seixas, Sónia; Martinho, Marco; Fonseca, RicardoIn Portugal, aquariophilia is a popular hobby but fish frequently dye in home aquariums because of lack of knowledge. It is frequent, even in some shops, to see species of different environments and requirements together or predators and preys being put together. So it is necessary to teach people in how to properly set up an aquarium, taking care of it, choosing the correct species to put together, the water chemistry, and so on. There is much literature on the subject in the market, but in foreign languages and sometimes using a scientific language not understood by the common hobbyist. So it was decided to put forward an action in the biggest animal fair in Portugal. In order to accomplish this, another Portuguese association in the hobby was contacted, as well as a university and we had the support of the fair organization. A workshop was set forth during the two afternoons of the weekend of the fair. Normally the public would come to the fair to see different species and to buy some animals and related products. To attract people a stand was established in the middle of the exhibition area with chairs, a projector and sound equipment and was surrounded by several aquariums with different environments in a total of 72 m2. The public reaction was above our expectations, all chairs were occupied and there was public assisting standing up. Because of the success of this workshop, included as an attraction event in the fair, the organization of the fair are interested in doing something similar this year and other local fairs are inviting the association to promote other events.
- Aquarium as a tool for teaching Sciences al all grades levelsPublication . Seixas, Sónia; Martinho, MarcoThe aquarium are an excellent hands on teaching tool in the classroom, it offers students the opportunity to learn directly through experience. The first step is to choose the environmental and animals specifically for the objectives of teaching. Its possible creates environments of different places: seashore, corals reef, lakes, different rivers, etc. The most common tool for classrooms is an aquarium of freshwater. The material necessary depends on the environment chosen. The second step is set up the aquarium with all material necessary. Then is necessary select the gravel and decoration roots or stones. If is recommend for the environment chosen the species of plants to introduce. Finally the fishes and invertebrates must be introduced. The phase of set up allows the classroom understands the requirements of animals and plants, come from different environments. A several examples of different environments aquariums will be referred. After the aquarium is established the water parameters must be control, such as water temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Graph the information and looks to trends is an excellent way in such levels to explain a lot of concepts. The animals must be fed with appropriate food, this introduce the concept of food chain. The reproduction and behaviour of animals are also very important to understand zoology concepts. The reproduction and grow up of plants are also very important to understand botany. Is given some examples of done this in classroom.
- Aquarium as a tool for teaching sciences at all grades levelsPublication . Seixas, Sónia; Martinho, Marco