THE OCCUPATION OF VIRTUAL TERRITORIES BY TEACHERS FROM BRAZIL AND COLOMBIA TO PROMOTE AN ANTIRACIST NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

Abstract

This article analyzed how Afro-descendant teachers in Brazil and Colombia occupy virtual territories in search of teacher training for science education committed to racial equity. The research was conducted between September 2023 and December 2024 and included semi-structured interviews with six teachers participating in the virtual groups “Biologia Entre Nós” (Brazil) and “Enseñanza del África” (Colombia), as well as a bibliographic survey on the theme of virtual territories in the CAPES Journal Portal. Based on content analysis, three emerging categories were identified: (1) affirmation of Afro-diasporic identity; (2) sense of belonging and quilombagem; (3) and critical articulation between occupation of virtual territories and teacher training in science. The research showed that these virtual groups function as spaces for virtual quilombos, in which Afro-descendant teachers share their pedagogical doubts, build collective knowledge, and support each other in confronting racism in their fields of activity.