Integrating ENEM Writing Competency II

an extension activity to encourage young apprentices to pursue higher education

Abstract

Introduction: The National High School Exam (ENEM) is essential for accessing higher education and career opportunities in Brazil, as it assesses key competencies and prepares students for academic and professional challenges. Objective: To report the experience of medical students in conducting an extension activity aimed at developing ENEM essay-writing skills among young apprentices. Experience Report: In the second half of 2023, medical students implemented an educational intervention with young people from a philanthropic institution in Belo Horizonte-MG, focused on the structure of the exam and Competency II of the ENEM essay. Participants, divided into groups, connected themes (environment, health, education) with paragraphs containing citations, historical facts, literary works, and statistical data through an interactive activity. At the end, they discussed the paragraphs in relation to the themes and their relevance to the essay. The activity also included a visit to the university, featuring the anatomy laboratory, where the participants handled anatomical specimens and enhanced their theoretical and practical knowledge. There were nine participants, and they worked on six body paragraphs and six concluding paragraphs. All correctly linked the paragraphs to the thematic axes, demonstrating prior knowledge. They suggested additional repertoires and effectively conducted the discussions, fostering peer learning. During the university visit, they examined bones, organs, cadaveric specimens, and anatomical models, receiving explanations from the medical students about each system and structure. Final considerations: The extension activity encouraged the development of writing skills for the ENEM essay, while also stimulating interest in higher education and expanding knowledge of human anatomy.