The plant and fungi collection of the FFOP Herbarium in the extension activities of the Universidade Federal do Paraná

Abstract

Herbaria are commonly related to research activities, through the conservation of samples of dried algae, plants and fungi. However, this type of biological collection has great potential for integrating the fields of teaching, research and extension. Therefore, the project entitled “Herbarium of Setor Palotina: integrated into the extension at UFPR” was conceived with the aim of integrating the collection of herborized plants and fungi of UFPR - Setor Palotina, called Herbarium of Flora and Fungi of Western Paraná - FFOP, to schools in the region, seeking to provide materials that would assist in the teaching-learning process of botany, as well as developing approaches that could contribute to minimizing students' lack of interest in this area. Therefore, this text aimed to list and analyze the results obtained over the first year of project implementation. Through dialogic interaction, activities such as workshops and visits by schools in the region were carried out. Plants were collected on the Palotina campus to prepare teaching materials as well as materials used in the annual event “Come to UFPR”, which provided opportunities for contact with schools. In total, 345 students participated in the actions carried out at the herbarium, and around 2000 visitors passed through the University during the event. 48 teaching materials were also made in the form of exsiccates to be used in schools. In addition to consolidating the herbarium as an extension environment, the project also reaffirms the commitment to the local school community by meeting the demand for teaching materials.