“GREEK GIFT”, A DYNAMIC TO COMBAT AEDES AEGYPTI, THE MOSQUITO OF MANY VIRUSES

Abstract

The university extension project “Knowing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the mosquitoes of many viruses” develops activities which aim to mediate learning about these mosquitoes and the diseases caused by them. Combining scientific information and playfulness, it seeks to facilitate children's learning providing them opportunities for changing attitudes through theoretical learning and practical experience. This article presents the activity “Greek gift”, a decorated plastic bottle with a sealed lid, containing, apparently, just water. However, inside, imperceptibly, there are eggs of Aedes aegypti that will eventually hatch.  It is a controlled and safe experience in which children discover, through observation and discussion with classmates, the transformations in the mosquito life cycle, realizing that still water can be the place where mosquitoes reproduce very fast. The project seeks to change permanently attitudes as well as to present, throughout this article, a new playful tool that can be used in different pedagogical contexts.