Ensino de água e sustentabilidade: percepções geracionais sobre o uso e reuso hídrico

Abstract

This study analyzes the perceptions and attitudes of different generations regarding water use and reuse, integrating teaching, research, and extension activities developed through the "Water and Sustainability" project at UNESPAR. The research compared two groups: Group A, composed of 30 elderly women from Cruz Machado, Paraná, Brazil, and Group B, consisting of 25 high school students from Bituruna, Paraná, Brazil. The methodology employed the educational game Real World, which simulates everyday situations involving water consumption and scarcity, followed by the application of structured questionnaires. The results revealed significant contrasts between the groups. The elderly women demonstrated greater environmental awareness and greater ease in decision-making, largely due to previous experiences with water shortages and rationing. In contrast, the young participants showed greater cognitive and emotional difficulty during the activity, reporting confusion and challenges in the collective management of resources, suggesting less practical experience with the finite nature of water resources. The analysis highlights that, while Group A validated previously internalized experiential knowledge, Group B required greater pedagogical mediation. Complementary activities, such as the creation of the digital newspaper H₂O Journal, proved essential in expanding students’ critical understanding of environmental issues. The study concludes that intergenerational environmental education plays a fundamental role in promoting behavioral change, demonstrating that the exchange of experiences between younger and older generations strengthens socio-environmental responsibility and fosters a culture of care for water resources, which are essential for regional sustainability.

Keywords: Environmental Education; Sustainability; Generational Perceptions.