In this paper, we present the elaboration process of an instructional unity consisting of classes using videos, experiments, exercises, tests, and lectures including questions or examples about practical situations, to illustrate theoretical discussions about thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, oriented to environmental and sanitary engineering. The theoretical frame adopted was the educational theory of Dewey, who defends the development of the student’s reasoning and critical thinking. The methodology involved data collection through questionnaires, applied to students and professionals from environmental and sanitary engineering, orienting the choice of activities in the context of their professional field to compose the instructional unity. The application of the activities took place during physics classes for second-year students in the environmental and sanitary engineering of a private university. The results indicated an increase in the students’ interest, measured by their intense interaction with the experiments and engagement in the discussions. The analysis of the student’s answers to an evaluation questionnaire shows that they valued the experience and recommended it for other courses or subjects.
Keywords
Physics education; Engineering; Educational theory of Dewey; Contextualization
