AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RADON PROJECT FOR YOUNG STUDENTS IN A SCHOOL OF THE NORTHEAST OF PORTUGAL

This study introduces a work project, ran during 2005, in which 35 of a 14 to 17 year-old group of students attending the 8th grade, examined the physics, chemistry, and geology of radon in school and in their homes, both located in a granitic area of the northeast of Portugal. They also learned about the health problems induced by inadequate indoor radon concentrations and about methods to mitigate these levels. This project gave the students the opportunity to deal with equipment able to measure radon concentrations both indoor and outdoor, as passive detectors and continuous monitors; measures were also performed on the exhalation of radon from different types of geological materials outcropping in the area; indoor radon concentrations, in their school and in their homes, varies between 40 and 870 Bq.m-3. The radon experiments were organized for school classes or groups of students and were supported in the inquiry process, analytical skills, communication skills, content knowledge, and production of authentic products for student assessment. The data analysis, in what concerns the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and skills developed by the participants, provided the following conclusions: the field and the laboratory work enabled a more effective learning, interesting and motivating to the participants; this project work has involved students undertaking a substantial learning activity that was partly self-initiated and managed; and it was very significant to an environmental literacy for the participants and the community school.