Advancing Biodiversity Literacy Through Education

Project description

Objective

For many people – including pupils and students – “biodiversity” remains a buzzword rather than a concept they understand. This project develops a coherent curriculum that begins in primary school and continues through compulsory education. Aligned with Curriculum 21, the pathway combines outdoor and classroom activities. Step by step, learners grasp what biodiversity is, how it is measured and why it matters for climate stability, food security and human health. In parallel, a dedicated teacher-training programme equips educators to teach this complex topic with confidence. A mixed-methods study tracks how both students and teachers build knowledge and attitudes relevant to biodiversity.

Relevance

Biodiversity loss is already affecting harvests, health and livelihoods, yet public debate often remains at the level of slogans such as “save nature”. By providing free, evidence-based resources and teacher training, the project enables young citizens to understand biodiversity and its role in society. This helps them evaluate scientific evidence and participate more thoughtfully in public debate and decision-making. The approach fosters scientific literacy – a foundation for democratic resilience in times of growing ideological pressure.

Transdisciplinary Approach

The project brings together biodiversity researchers and educational scientists to make a complex subject accessible at every stage of schooling. Eleven Swiss universities of teacher education are working with a sounding board of biodiversity experts and policymakers to translate cutting-edge science into teaching practice. Together they are designing a curriculum that builds progressively from primary to secondary level, complemented by evidence-based teacher training and age-appropriate materials. These are tested and refined in schools, based on measurable improvements in pupils’ competences. GLOBE Switzerland ensures broad dissemination, maintains an open online repository and coordinates a long-term Biodiversity Literacy Monitor to feed results back into teacher training and policy.