The thematic approach in science education: characterization of a style of thought

Abstract

In this article - which is a cut of a master's research - we present and discuss results about how researchers in the area of science education understand and work with the curricular perspective of the Thematic Approach. Based on the concepts of the epistemology of Ludwik Fleck, we investigate who are the researchers who are part of the esoteric circle of subjects and who, therefore, build knowledge on the subject. In this sense, also, after the identification of such circle, characteristics are presented about its constitution and, mainly, about the Thought Style of these subjects. From the analysis of interviews conducted with these researchers and also from elements derived from a bibliographic review process, it can be seen that the Thought Style of the group is strongly linked to Paulo Freire’s presuppositions. Also, it was identified proximity between the Thought Style and the nature of the Pedagogical Moments.