Scientific views in the time of the naturalists Spix and Martius in the 19th century and possibilities for contextualising biology teaching

We present the results of a documentary investigation that seeks to describe and interpret certain perspectives on science and scientific practice, as expressed in the detailed accounts of the naturalists Spix and Martius, while also critically examining the implications of these perspectives for contemporary biology education. The study is based on the book Através da Bahia (Through Bahia), which narrates the remarkable journey undertaken by these naturalists through the Brazilian state of Bahia between 1817 and 1820. Employing systematic content analysis, excerpts from the text were extracted and carefully organised into thematic categories. When incorporating material from the reports of Spix and Martius, biology educators should situate these accounts within their appropriate historical context, emphasising controversial issues deeply rooted in Enlightenment Science that merit sustained critical discussion in the classroom. By analysing the scientific perspectives of Spix and Martius, we identified potential contributions of their work to contemporary biology teaching, such as the promotion of critical thinking, contextual understanding, and dialogical engagement in the classroom, thereby significantly enhancing students’ interest, participation, and motivation. Further research is encouraged to explore their writings in greater depth and to identify additional innovative ways of enriching biology education from a historical perspective on science.