Impacts of an Extension Action on Professional and Technological Education in Elementary Education
Extension activities in Elementary Education are essential strategies for democratizing access to information and expanding students’ educational repertoire, especially in contexts marked by socio-educational inequalities. This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge and initial interest of 9th-grade students regarding Professional and Technological Education (PTE), as well as to analyze the effects of an informational intervention. The applied, descriptive, and exploratory research involved 24 students and used two structured questionnaires administered before and after the intervention. The results revealed significant prior unfamiliarity with PTE, highlighting existing informational gaps. After the activity, there was an increase in students’ understanding and interest in technical education, particularly in federal public institutions, as well as a broader perception of the role of PTE in regional development and the generation of social opportunities. It is concluded that extension activities focused on vocational guidance contribute to the comprehensive development of young people and to more informed educational choices, and their institutionalization in public schools, especially in vulnerable territories, is recommended.