BERG: Solutions-based approaches to teaching primary/secondary plant science
Haruko Okamoto, Associate Professor in Biochemistry, University of Sussex (Education and Scholarship), Anna Newman-Griffis, Assistant Professor in Biosciences, University of Durham, Chris Graham Sustainability Lead and Teacher of Biology, Hills Road Sixth Form College / SAPS, Rachel Sawkle, Part-time PhD Student in Sc Ed Research at KCL / Science & Sustainability Leader and Part-time Primary Teacher, Rachel Davies, PGCE Biology Lead and Lecturer in Science Education, Kings College, London, Nic Buckley, Head of Learning, Royal Horticultural Society & Dawn Sanders, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, University of Gothenburg
This session was run by the newly formed RSB BERG Plant Science Education Working group (Rachel Davies King’s College London, Dan Jenkins Science and Plants for Schools, Anna Newman-Griffis Durham University, Haruko Okamoto University of Sussex, Stephen Rutherford Cardiff University, Shannon Woodhouse John Innes Centre). The group comprises of a diverse range of educators, researchers and representatives of plant-related organisations. As such, we are uniquely positioned to recognise the fundamental need to develop a plant science educator community and are keen to share good practice, shape learning opportunities, and conduct research to improve plant science education.
We designed the session to promote these goals through highlighting the work of educators, researchers, and plant-related nonprofits to the ASE audience, as well as provide a venue for productive discussions about the future of plant science education. We therefore combined a series of lightning talks and guided discussion to help spark and promote active dialogue among attendees. The lightning talks were:
1. Rooted in emotion: plant awareness from children’s perspectives- Rachel Sawle (King’s College London) talked about primary children’s perspectives of plants and ways to encourage discussion and tackle misconceptions.
2. Plant positive teaching - Chris Graham (Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)/Hills Road 6th Form College) discussed how the concept of Plant Positive Teaching has grown out of the plant awareness literature, how we can be more plant positive within the constraints of our curricula, how we can measure our impact, and how this can be a stepping stone to a more ecologically-literate, nature-loving and sustainability-embracing society. And if that’s not enough, it might even lead to better exam results!
3. RHS Garden Learning Experience - Nic Buckley (Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)) informed us of the RHS’ hands-on, immersive sessions that are designed to inspire children's curiosity about plants, nature, and gardening, while delivering strong links to the national curriculum. At RHS sites across the UK, pupils have the opportunity to explore living landscapes that bring learning to life- with gardening and growing at the heart of these experiences.
4). Investigating and fostering plant awareness in educational contexts - Dawn Sanders (University of Gothenburg) cited a range of practical approaches to fostering plant awareness in educational contexts. Recent research, published in the journal Plants, People, Planet, framed the presentation.
The audience was made up of schoolteachers, technicians, education researchers, garden/ landscape educators and international plant science educators. Plant education practice/research/projects/organisations ideas and approaches were exchanged and contributed to discussions regarding the future of plant education in the UK.
All those attending were invited to join a the RSB Plant Education JISC mailing list to set up a working community. If you are interested in joining, please email anna.newman-griffis@durham.ac.uk