Fundamentalizing Biological Education in Pedagogical Universities for Sustainable Development
Transforming how we teach biology to prepare educators for a sustainable future
Introduction: Educating for a Sustainable Future
In an era defined by unprecedented global challenges—from climate change to biodiversity loss—the role of education has never been more critical. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent an urgent call to action, recognizing that education is the key to building a more sustainable world. Target 4.7 of the SDGs explicitly emphasizes that by 2030, we must "ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development" 1 .
Within this educational landscape, biological education holds unique potential. As we strive to protect ecosystems, ensure food security, and combat diseases, the biological sciences provide essential knowledge and methodologies for understanding and addressing these complex challenges. This article explores how pedagogical universities are fundamentalizing biological education to prepare educators who can effectively teach the next generation to live sustainably and make informed decisions for our planet's future.
Biodiversity
Education
Sustainability
Pedagogy
The Conceptual Foundation: Education for Sustainable Development
Understanding Education for Sustainable Development
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), as defined by UNESCO, equips people with the knowledge, capacities, values, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to live in respectful interaction with our environment, economy, and society 6 . It empowers individuals to make intelligent and responsible decisions that help create a better future for all.
ESD transcends traditional environmental education by incorporating social, cultural, and economic dimensions of sustainability, encouraging holistic thinking about interconnected systems.
Why Biology Education Matters for Sustainability
Biological sciences occupy a central position in the sustainability discourse. Many core biological concepts—from ecology and genetics to microbiology and physiology—provide critical context for understanding global challenges and their potential solutions 1 .
Areas such as immunology, medicine, ecology, genetics, horticulture, and agriculture offer vital frameworks for considering sustainable development issues. As noted by researchers studying science education programs, biology provides "an important context and basis for considering development issues" and offers "the potential to explore both social and scientific perspectives relating to key global challenges of our time" 1 .
Dimensions of Education for Sustainable Development
Rethinking Biological Education for Sustainability
From Knowledge Transmission to Critical Scientific Literacy
Traditional science education often emphasizes technical knowledge transmission. However, contemporary approaches in pedagogical universities are shifting toward developing critical scientific literacy that enables students to meaningfully navigate multiple perspectives presented in media and public debates about sustainability issues 1 .
This expanded view of scientific literacy encompasses three essential dimensions:
- Content knowledge: Understanding scientific theories and facts
- Procedural knowledge: Knowing practices and procedures scientists use to establish and communicate knowledge
- Epistemic knowledge: Comprehending how scientific knowledge is constructed and validated 1
Experimental Spaces in Biological Learning
Hands-on experimental work plays a crucial role in fundamentalizing biological education. As research on experimental spaces in biology education has found, practical activities including field trips and laboratory work are essential for developing skills in thinking, observation, analysis, integration, organization, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving, reflection, and evaluation 2 .
Essential Skills Developed Through Experimental Biology Education
| Skill Category | Specific Skills | Relevance to Sustainability Education |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Skills | Critical thinking, analysis, integration, organization | Enables systems thinking about complex sustainability challenges |
| Scientific Practices | Hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data interpretation | Develops capacity for evidence-based decision making |
| Social-Emotional Skills | Creativity, reflection, evaluation | Fosters adaptability and ethical reasoning |
| Civic Skills | Decision-making, problem-solving | Prepares for community engagement with sustainability issues |
The One Health Teaching Clinic: An Integrative Approach
Braiding Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge Systems
An innovative model emerging in science teacher education braids the principle of "Two-Eyed Seeing" with Education for Sustainable Development through the One Health Teaching Clinic framework 5 .
This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—a core concern of sustainability. The Two-Eyed Seeing framework honors the strengths of both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, allowing pre-service teachers to engage with One Health topics in a way that respects diverse ways of knowing 5 .
Implementing the One Health Approach
The One Health framework in biological education emphasizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is interconnected. This perspective has profound implications for how we approach sustainability challenges such as:
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Food safety and security
- Environmental contamination
- Climate change impacts on health
One Health Connections in Biological Education
| Human Health Aspect | Animal Health Connection | Environmental Health Dimension |
|---|---|---|
| Infectious diseases | Zoonotic disease reservoirs | Ecosystem changes affecting disease transmission |
| Nutritional health | Livestock and fisheries management | Agricultural sustainability and soil health |
| Mental wellbeing | Human-animal bond | Access to green spaces and natural environments |
| Respiratory health | Air quality effects on wildlife | Atmospheric pollution and climate change |
In-Depth Look: The Classic Experiment of Natural Selection
Darwin's Finches: A Foundation for Understanding Evolution
While numerous biological experiments could illustrate the process of scientific discovery, few are as foundational to understanding sustainability as Charles Darwin's observations of finches in the Galápagos Islands 7 . This classic "experiment of nature" provides crucial insights into how species adapt to their environments—a fundamental concept for predicting how organisms might respond to environmental changes driven by human activity.
Methodology: Observational Science in Natural Settings
Darwin's approach, while not a controlled experiment in the modern laboratory sense, exemplifies rigorous observational science:
Sample Collection
During the voyage of the HMS Beagle (1831-1836), Darwin collected numerous finch specimens from different islands in the Galápagos archipelago.
Detailed Observation
He carefully documented variations in beak shape, size, and structure among the finches.
Environmental Correlation
He noted correlations between beak characteristics and available food sources on different islands.
Comparative Analysis
After returning to England, Darwin worked with ornithologist John Gould to systematically classify the finches and recognize they represented different species.
Pattern Recognition
He observed that finches on islands with different ecological conditions had developed distinct beak adaptations.
Scientific Importance and Relevance to Sustainability
The significance of Darwin's finch observations extends far beyond establishing evolutionary theory:
Modern Evidence Confirming Darwin's Observations
| Research Finding | Time Period | Significance for Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Correlation between beak morphology and diet | 1830s (Darwin) to present | Demonstrates adaptation to available resources |
| Rapid evolutionary changes in finches in response to drought | 1970s-present (Peter and Rosemary Grant) | Shows real-time adaptation to environmental stress |
| Genetic basis for beak variation identified | 2000s | Reveals molecular mechanisms of evolutionary change |
| Climate change effects on finch populations | Ongoing | Informs conservation strategies for changing ecosystems |
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Resources for Biological Research and Education
Both in research laboratories and educational settings, certain fundamental materials and reagents enable the study of biological phenomena. The table below outlines essential components of a biologist's toolkit, with applications ranging from basic education to advanced research.
Essential Research Reagents and Materials in Biological Education
| Reagent/Material | Primary Function | Educational Applications |
|---|---|---|
| DNA extraction solutions | Isolate genetic material from cells | Study genetic variation, biodiversity assessment, evolutionary relationships |
| Bacterial culture media | Grow microorganisms under controlled conditions | Investigate microbiology, antibiotic resistance, ecosystem services of microbes |
| pH indicators and buffers | Measure and maintain acidity/alkalinity | Study enzyme activity, environmental monitoring, ocean acidification experiments |
| Microscopy stains and dyes | Enhance visualization of cellular structures | Explore cell biology, histology, disease diagnosis |
| Plant growth regulators | Influence plant development and responses | Investigate plant physiology, agricultural applications, environmental stress responses |
| Field collection equipment | Sample organisms from natural habitats | Conduct biodiversity surveys, ecological monitoring, population studies |
Essential Components of Biological Education Toolkit
Conclusion: Cultivating Educators for a Sustainable Future
The fundamentalization of biological education in pedagogical universities represents a critical investment in our collective future. By moving beyond mere knowledge transmission to foster critical scientific literacy, embracing experiential learning through laboratory and field work, and adopting integrative approaches like the One Health framework, we prepare biology educators who can inspire the next generation to address our most pressing sustainability challenges.
Educator Preparation
Developing teachers who can effectively communicate biological concepts in the context of sustainability.
Holistic Approaches
Integrating knowledge systems and perspectives for comprehensive understanding.
Sustainable Futures
Equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable world.
As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the biological sciences offer essential insights into creating a more sustainable relationship with our planet. Through innovative teacher education programs that emphasize both deep biological knowledge and its application to real-world problems, we create ripple effects that will extend far beyond the classroom. The future of sustainable development depends on educators who can not only explain biological concepts but also foster the values, skills, and perspectives needed to build a thriving world for all living systems.
As researchers studying science teacher education have argued, pre-service teachers must be supported "to explore the links between science and society using discursive pedagogical approaches with a view to developing critical scientific literacy for sustainable development" 1 . This mission lies at the heart of fundamentalizing biological education in pedagogical universities—a mission that has never been more urgent or important.