Teaching and learning natural sciences with IBSE methodology: a study outside classroom

Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) was recognized as an advantageous method in professional updating and improvement for .teachers and educators, through a training course on Natural Sciences educational practices outdoors, part of the Educative Program performed in University of Coimbra Botanic Garden¹. IBSE lesson plans on plants main groups and their evolution were now applied to two samples of pupils from the 3^rd and 5^th grade of the basic level of education, with 81 and 89 cases, respectively, having been performed in an outside classroom environment, with direct contact with plants. The aim of this study is to directly contact, listen and question the students involved in the program, in order to understand the impacts of this methodology on Natural Sciences learning, using pre and post questionnaires as assessment tools, completed by students before and after the sessions, respectively. In addition to good indicators of evolution and enrichment of the knowledge and the skills of the students, their attitudes and final ideas and proposals revealed motivation and interest to increase the resources of the activity to extend its scope as well as their knowledge.