A MATHEMATICAL LOOK AT DENGUE: ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Abstract

The report presents the implementation of the pedagogical intervention project "A Mathematical Look at Dengue: Analysis and Problem Solving" at ECI Maria Soledade Assis Freitas (Cajazeiri-nhas, PB), developed during the 2025 academic year, designed to connect mathematics teaching to a socially relevant topic – dengue fever, its causes, consequences, and prevention –, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and social responsibility among students. The intervention arti-culated integrated methodological stages: initial awareness-raising about the dengue problem in Brazil and the region, collection and selection of local and state-level epidemiological data (initi-ally with health agents, expanded to state level due to insufficient local data), expert lectures, ap-plied mathematical analysis (functions, linear equations, descriptive statistics with mean, variance, and standard deviation), production of mathematical models, creation of cultural products (dengue rap, cordel literature), community social intervention, and complementary activities (Mathematics Olympiads OSM and OBMEP, art projects, Agronomy Week, Cultural Competition, bullying lec-ture, cinema session). Educational results demonstrate significant gains in academic performance, development of critical thinking, social awareness, strengthening of community ties, and practical application of mathematical concepts to real public health contexts. From a pedagogical perspecti-ve, the approach fostered BNCC competencies, integrating Mathematics with health, environment, and citizenship, strengthening quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, collaborative work, and student protagonism in proposing solutions to social problems. It is concluded that the project, grounded in active methodologies and interdisciplinarity, is a viable, inclusive, and effective stra-tegy to qualify mathematical learning, motivate students, consolidate critical civic education, and connect school education to real community challenges.