Dissemination of information in nuclear sciences and public acceptance of irradiated foods in Basic Education

Resumen

Technological advances, such as food irradiation, aim to improve environment sustainability, human health, and the well-being of society. Food irradiation is a well-established and effective technology for preserving and disinfecting food, keeping food quality and nutritional properties. The lack of adequate information about nuclear sciences can lead to resistance, compromising acceptability. Prejudices and misinformation lead society to associate nuclear techniques with harmful effects on human health and on the environment. The recent reformulation of the Brazilian National Common Core Curriculum favor interdisciplinarity and provides opportunities for the inclusion of nuclear sciences in schools. Themes that are crucial to national development, such as Science and Technology, as well as Food and Nutrition Education, are now mandatory subjects in schools. Considering the vast content available on the Internet, with channels of direct communication with young people, this study aimed to analyze the prior knowledge about nuclear sciences, especially food irradiation, among Elementary School students at a well-known private school in São Paulo. The research with groups of students allows communicators to identify current gaps and specific needs for the development of future actions to combat disinformation. The results bring a paradoxical perception of elementary school students, whose prior knowledge is fragmented and decontextualized. However, the research demonstrates that students are receptive to new learning, and tend to support national technological advances, including nuclear sciences. Also, the offer of quality information, in a formal learning environment, can instigate critical thinking, reformulate opinions and contribute to the acceptability of peaceful applications of nuclear technology.