We developed a fluorescence microscopy lesson geared towards high school students. Our goals included demonstrating how fluorescence microscopy works and illustrating the localisation of key cellular structures/organelles in the model organism, budding yeast. A trained student teacher/researcher on our team took the microscopy images and…

In addressing contemporary socio-ecological challenges it is imperative to engage individuals with the moral dilemmas in the human-nature context. A socioscientific-issues (SSI) approach to secondary biology education can contribute to engaging students in moral dilemmas and reflecting on their values. Following a design research methodology, we…

In this paper, a self-created analogy is presented based on comparing the process of osmosis with a situation recreated in a train carriage. It was implemented with upper-secondary education students at a secondary school in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz, Spain). To assess the progression of the students' models on osmosis, their activities…

This study aims to reveal the effectiveness of documentary-based augmented reality applications in environmental education compared to the direct instruction method supported by the question and answer technique. The research was designed as mixed-method research, and the study group consisted of 118 tenth grade students. T-tests were used to…

Sustaining a broad diversity of plants is key for a sustainable future. For instance, providing a variety of flowering plants in urban and agricultural landscapes mitigates the current decline of pollinators and biodiversity in general. Therefore, educating about the diversity of flowering plants has high current relevance for biology and…

This exploratory multiple-case study investigated the belief systems (professed and enacted) of four secondary school biology teachers towards teaching through dialogic argumentation. The constant comparison method was used to iteratively assess the qualitative data, which included classroom observations, field notes, transcripts of the formal and…

With biodiversity loss as one of today's most pressing global problems, it is crucial to raise public recognition of this crisis and promote acceptance of conservation efforts. Plants, which typically struggle with low awareness ('plant blindness') and less emotional connection than animals with humans, are facing a special challenge. Promoting…

Interest affects learning; it also affects students' attitude towards science and career choices. It is therefore urgent to increase students' interest and improve their attitude towards science to face the complex challenges of the future. This study transformed cutting-edge induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) research into an informal science…

Systems thinking is a powerful concept in biology which can help students understand how the diversity of contexts in the biology curriculum all have similar underlying characteristics. However, it is not currently a common feature in secondary education as it is not part of the National Curriculum of England. Research on systems thinking has…

A scientific conceptual understanding of photosynthesis and respiration provides an important basis for understanding nature and the regulations of life. Photosynthesis and respiration are complex processes, and learning about them requires a proper understanding of their various aspects, from molecular biology to the ecosystem level. This study…

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of laboratory activities based on the predict-observe-explain (POE) strategy on the understanding of photosynthesis and respiration concepts of pre-service science teachers, and their attitudes towards biology science and course and biology laboratory. Pre- and post-test designs with an…

The monitoring of pH changes due to dissolved carbon dioxide from algal balls offers a way for students to acquire good understanding of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Here, 54 high school participants were enlisted to conduct the experiment physically and with an Augmented Reality (AR) tool developed. A survey conducted after…

In this paper, I explore how seamless embedding of four mathematical concepts: counting, ratio, distribution, and statistical significance, into a unit on inheritance enables students to gain a deeper insight into biological phenomena than a qualitative only approach achieves. The topic of Mendelian inheritance is used to illustrate this proposal.…

As some misconceptions remain persistent, comforting and highly resistant to change, it is imperative to use methods and strategies that are centred around students' abilities, interests and needs to address those misconceptions. This study investigates the appropriateness of using 'concept cartoons' to address misconceptions held by forty grade 9…

This paper reports on findings from an analysis of trait-formation tasks in the genetic sections of high school biology textbooks. Drawing on studies exploring a range of problems in students' explanations of trait formation, we investigated trait-formation tasks and analysed their potential for knowledge integration and multi-level mechanistic…