This work investigates Social Representations related to the Igarapé da Rocinha
(Rocinha Forest Stream), as a research site for students in the 4th Grade, Elementary
Level, who are subjects of this research activity, from a school in the city of Vigia. The
municipality of Vigia de Nazaré, the oldest city in the Amazon has a considerable
historic and cultural heritage. Geographical characteristics in the Atlantic coastal town
favor the fisheries sector, which is the municipality’s economic mainstay. In this work
we observe the environmental patrimony in the city of Vigia de Nazaré, with emphasis
on the Igarapé da Rocinha. This stream is now at an advanced stage of silting, mainly
due to disorganized occupation along its banks. The theory that grounds this research is
that of Social Representations, which has the objective of studying popular knowledge
and the commonplace that is established in daily relations and practices of individuals
and groups, serving as a reference for reading and interpreting reality. As instruments
for collecting data for analyses we used: a) reflexive conversations (dialogues) with the
studies leading to a discussion of the concept of Environmental Patrimony Education
with a focus on the current state of the Igarapé da Rocinha; b) class outing for the
students, monitored by teachers and researchers along a stretch of the Forest Stream; c)
Seminar on Memories of the Igarapé da Rocinha told to the students by three residents
of the city, ages 75 years, 50 years and 37 years; d) social representation of the Igarapé
da Rocinha in drawings. The results obtained through productions by students showed
an understanding and critical knowledge of the problem studied and a raising of
awareness of themselves as capable of transforming their surroundings. The drawings
and paintings by students showed their perception of the Igarapé da Rocinha as an asset
to be preserved, as well as strengthening feelings of cultural identity and citizenship.
The perspective of environmental patrimony education in the early years of schooling is
important in forming an ecological consciousness, and can be broadly disseminated in
educational circles with the expectation of dealing with the environmental dilemma.
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