FOSSILIZED MEMORIES AMID THE AWAKENING OF EMOTIONS AT THE MUSEU DOS DINOSSAUROS

Abstract

The Brazilian educational landscape is marked by numerous transformations that students experience at various stages of their academic journey. When considering the diverse educational environments, it is essential to understand the emotional dimensions that students encounter throughout their learning process. These experiences take place across a wide range of settings, whether in formal educational institutions or informal learning environments such as museums, science centers, zoos, parks, and other spaces. This study investigated guided school visits to the Dinosaur Museum (Museu dos Dinossauros – MD) at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper analyzes the visit of two participants, middle school students from a public school in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, who volunteered to participate in the research. The aim was to identify and explore the emotional responses exhibited by the students during the visit, with a focus on understanding how this setting contributes to the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Methodologically, we employed semi-structured interviews with the participants both before and after the visit, observations and recordings of the visit, audio and video documentation using a GoPro camera, the use of a pulse oximeter to assess physiological responses, and finally, the stimulated recall method to gain deeper insight into the emotional responses triggered by interactions with the exhibits. The data were analyzed in light of literature focusing on emotions and science museums. Among the key findings, consistent with existing research, is that the MD holds significant potential for eliciting emotional responses in visitors, particularly surprise, joy, and anxiety—factors that should be taken into account when training museum guides. Moreover, the museum was also observed to play a role in fostering visitors’ scientific literacy, as it provides opportunities for the public to engage with and discuss relevant scientific topics with guides, allowing them to actively form more informed and critical opinions.