Practical activities contribute to interest and learning in Science, especially when they require investigation and problematization. So, the goal of the study was to understand how Science teachers in Fundamental Education perceive these activities and also to know if there are applied and the reasons for their use/not use in everyday schooling. The study interviewed Science teachers, who had indicated difficulties and who used practical activities rarely. When they are used, it happens after theoretical study, to illustrate theory only. Teachers justify rarely using these practices because they feel insecure and they do not have school structure and human support. Teachers value practical activities but perceive practical activities only as complementary to theoretical classes. Teachers understand the necessity for more practical activities, but feel anguish because they do not make it happen. The researchers considered difficulties expressed by teachers and give some suggestions to encourage practical activities in Brazilian educational public system.
Science education; teacher practice
