Forensic Educational Tool as a Teaching Strategy to Face the Growing Alcohol Consumption in the Student Population

Excessive alcohol consumption inadolescence is a worldwide concernbecause of its numerous negative consequences. It also increases thechance of accidents and may lead to significant impairment of partof the brain, causing learning difficulties. The present work aimsto present the development of a forensic educational kit composedof a breathalyzer produced with low cost materials and a colorimetricpalette for use in science classes for high school students. The kit'sfunction is to estimate the ethanol concentration in alcoholic samples.The methodology is based on applied research with a qualitative andquantitative nature guided by an experimental procedure that presentsall steps from the construction of the kit to its functionality. Italso describes three didactic-pedagogical strategies on how this instrumentmay be used in the teaching-learning process. The results of thisproposal show that, during the operation of the device, it is possibleto observe a correlation with physical, chemical, biological, andmathematical concepts involving relations between science, technology,society, and environment (CTSE), which may be approached in a contextualizedway and arouse student curiosity. In addition, the topic of this studyprovides an educational action since it enables a discussion of theimpacts of ethanol on the body, raising awareness about the alarminguse of alcoholic beverages. The implementation of interdisciplinaryactivities on the topic here is a fundamental strategy for the educationof a citizen capable of developing a critical view of social eventsand the use of technologies.