The question of how to create a common framework for teaching (a science of the art of teaching) has often been a topic of discussion. As a result of Lesson Study, such a framework has emerged in Japan for science education. Outside Japan, however, creating a common framework for teaching has appeared to be far from easy. This article focuses on…

In collaboration with NASA, the Space Grant Foundation, and the eXploration Habitat Academic Challenge, the University of South Alabama developed a systems engineering undergraduate elective that instructs students on the fundamentals of systems engineering and provides the students the opportunity to apply systems and chemical engineering…

The likeability of organisms is an effective tool for conservation education. However, stimulating the cute appeal of animals can also bolster the desire to possess them, and thus can encourage the trade in animals as pets. We assessed the perception of primary French schoolchildren (7-11 years old) for the Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni), a…

Encompassing complex scatter plots, visually friendly infographics, and surprising works of contemporary art, data visualizations are as diverse as the disciplines from which they emerge. Over the past few decades, a strand of data visualizations has emerged that engage with ecological and sustainability topics and issues, such as concerns for the…

The decline of biodiversity and natural habitats, and the lack of progress in society's behaviour towards conservation, has prompted research into effective educational programs. Studies have shown that positive emotions towards nature, particularly in relation to the innate human predisposition towards the natural environment, can encourage…

This study aims to reduce the skills redundancy in ecology graduates by developing an employer-tailored work-"simulated" learning curriculum. Furthermore, we evaluate the overall potential of work-simulated learning (WSL) as a key pedagogic component of a work-"integrated" learning (WIL) framework. We employed the DACUM…

This study aimed to understand elementary school teachers' beliefs about science teaching and e-learning and to identify changes in their beliefs and practices while using an e-textbook designed for science learning. Two experienced science teachers from the same elementary school participated in this study and taught two science topics: Simple…

University students stepped into synchronous remote learning as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in spring 2020. Temporal limitations of the live field trip-based paradigm in teaching ecology have been complicated by remote learning. To meet the challenge, we have designed and deployed an immersive virtual ecology platform with associated field…

Biomimicry, the process of using nature to guide innovative thinking and development, can be useful in helping students grasp scientific concepts. Teachers interested in incorporating biomimicry into lesson plans might find that experiential learning at informal science institutions (ISIs) with natural models and artifacts is a valuable tool to…

Growing up in a small coastal town, students spend a great deal of time outdoors and at the beach. Given the many learning opportunities that such an environment can provide, engaging students in a sustained, environmental service project seemed like a natural complement to lessons focusing on the interaction of organisms within a habitat. This…

There is a general feeling of change in primary education in England, in conjunction with the changes to the Ofsted inspection framework (Ofsted, 2019). There is more of a focus on the mental health and wellbeing of children, redeveloping community and reconnecting with nature as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum. It is so…

We evaluated environmental values of primary school children during a one-day program at a wildlife park and compared the outcomes concerning two different forms of instruction (teacher-centered, student-centered) as well as two different surroundings of learning settings (wildlife park, school) while observing state emotions. A total of 441…

In this article, Helen Spring explains how a 'wow' activity is a great place to start learning outside the classroom. It will enthuse both children and staff. Teachers new to outdoor learning can start with something simple like having students use double-sided sticky tape to collect as many colours as they can from the school grounds. Then look…

The overarching goal of this paper is to bring a diverse educational context--rural sayings and oral traditions situated in ecological habitats--to light and emphasize that they need to be taken into consideration regarding twenty-first century science education. The rural sayings or tenets presented here are also considered alternative ways of…

Online education is not a common practice in design education. As the cornerstone of design education, the design studio incorporates a hands-on approach that stems from its materiality. This tactile character of the design studio has been challenged by the recent pandemic since many design schools and departments decided to proceed with their…