This study proposes a hands-on activity as an experimental alternative method to teach biomedical engineering students the osmosis phenomenon. The students were guided along a learning path that involved their participation in the design and construction of a test device used to measure osmotic flow rate. Thereafter, an experiment was conducted with the test device. The students analyzed the obtained experimental values, which provided them with evidence of the functionality of the device. In addition, they were provided with the opportunity to suggest improvements and to propose alternatives to expand the use of the device to test other transport phenomena such as diffusion. Moreover, a student perception survey was conducted, and the results showed that this proposed plan allows for a better understanding of the phenomenon and stimulates the curiosity of students, improving the receptiveness, key in the learning process of the students.
Keywords: guided inquiry; hands-on activity; motivation; osmosis; teaching.