• Energy Research

This paper consists of the use of active methodologies in response to the following research problem: how to enhance the learning process about soil and water conservation in river basins? The main objective of this study was to analyze how active methodologies can improve the learning process about management and conservation of soil and water in river basins to mitigate problems of extreme hydrological events arising from climate change in 3 high school classes at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo, Colatina campus. The planning was based on the use of two active methodologies: flipped classroom - FC (theoretical) and project-based learning - PBL (practical). The methodological steps consisted of: addressing the current problem of poor use and conservation of soil and its intercurrences with climate change, proposal of a project to execute a prototype river basin, conceptualization and selection of soil and water conservation practices to be used, evaluation and operation of the experiment, data collection and evaluation and discussion of the results. The methodological application allowed the actors involved in the learning process to expand their understanding of the main soil and water conservation practices and analyze surface and underground hydrological processes at the river basin level that could help mitigate problems of extreme hydrological events arising from climate changes. The results obtained showed learning with average class grades ranging from 68.06 (good concept) to 84.71 (very good concept) using the FC and excellent, ranging from 90.48 to 95.36 applying the methodology PBL. As a collective interpretation most accepted by the students, at the end of the application of the both active methodologies combined, it was found that the poor use and occupation of soil in river basins increase extreme hydrological events arising from climate change, which can be mitigated based on soil and water conservation practices, in order of priority: mechanicals, edaphics and vegetatives. It is concluded, therefore, that the proposal developed was effective, contributing to an education capable of providing learning from the context in which students are inserted, enabling the perception and development of technological knowledge to seek better solutions of the problem of climate change in watersheds.

Contemporary challenges emphasize the importance for organizations to develop strategic competencies to deal with constant organizational changes, particularly in sectors characterized by intense competitiveness. In this context, sustainability emerges as a pivotal concept for organizations today, aiming to balance economic, environmental, and social interests. This research was conducted with the objective of understanding how the dimensions of sustainability align with project management, according to the perception of managers, in a foundation created to address an environmental disaster in Brazil. The event that led to the creation of the investigated foundation was the Fundão dam rupture in Mariana (MG), which occurred in 2015. For this purpose, a qualitative research methodology was adopted, with descriptive ends, using the Case Study method. Regarding methodological procedures, a bibliographic and documentary survey was conducted, along with interviews with the foundation’s managers. From the research findings, it was possible to perceive that in the foundation created for the repair of an environmental tragedy, the managers consider the dimensions of sustainability in a rather unique way concerning project management, given the nature of the activities undertaken by the foundation in response to the environmental disaster. The social dimension was particularly emphasized due to judicial requirements for the participation of those affected in the decision-making process, ensuring local representation from the planning action phases. Moreover, the diversity of control mechanisms was another highlight from the interviewed managers, given the need to provide stakeholders with access to information transparently and ethically, related to project management and the rational use of resources. Thus, the economic aspect was considered not only in terms of compensations to those affected but also in terms of broader socio-economic improvements, such as strengthening the local economy, creating jobs and income, and promoting sustainability after the recovery efforts have concluded.