Introduction

 

Today the world is facing several problems such as the world food and energy crisis, poverty, biodiversity loss, HIV/AIDS and outbreak of new diseases. Our citizens need to be equipped with both appropriate knowledge and skills so as to be empowered to face and address these crises. All these issues and crisis are related directly and /or indirectly to Biological Sciences. Biology Education in Mauritius is facing many challenges. There is a decline in the number of secondary school students opting for this subject. It has also been observed that pupils’ performance in this subject at SC and HSC examinations is relatively poor compared to the other Sciences. The complex nature of the subject itself, the methods used for teaching this subject and also the limited career opportunities that this field of science provides to our youth are some of these reasons to explain these situations. The government of Mauritius is currently undertaking major reforms in the education sector so as to improve the quality of education in general. 

 

It is in this context that this Symposium is organized jointly by the Mauritius Institute of Education and the Society of Biology Teachers.

 

Aims

 

The symposium aims at better equipping educators to meet the challenges of Biology and to lead their students to grasp the opportunities offered in Biology in their professional development and in their everyday life. It also aims at providing an appropriate platform for all stakeholders to share their expertise related to Biology Education so as to improve the quality of Biology Education.

 

Objectives

 

To explore and discuss::

·         the linkages among biological sciences, environment, sustainable development, health, ethical and societal issues in view of promoting Biology Education. For example the possibilities of integrating HIV/AIDS, Energy, Poverty, Ethical and Controversial Issues in the Biology Curriculum at lower and upper secondary levels will be discussed

·         innovative teaching methods and modes of assessment in Biology Education. It will be a platform for teachers share ideas on using innovative pedagogy with a view to enhancing learning and understanding of biological concepts.

·         the possibilities of networking between organizations involved in biological related activities such as universities, research institutions and schools.

·         career opportunities related to Biology.

 

 

Participants

 

About 80 participants have already registered and they are as follows:

 

·         Education Officers (Private and State Colleges)

·         Academics from Mauritius Institute of Education, University of Mauritius

·         Researchers and technical staff from Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Ministry of Environment,  Mauritius Oceanography Institute, Mauritius Examinations Syndicate, Rajiv Gandhi Science Center, Mauritius Museum.

·         NGOs (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Association for the Promotion of Environmental Education, GREEN, Mauritian Wildlife Club….)

 

Resource Persons

 

Two Resource Persons from United Kingdom are also participating in the symposium.

 

Prof Michael Reiss is a professor of science Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. He is also the Director of Education at the Royal Society and Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology, Editor of Sex Education and Chief Executive of Science Learning Centre in UK.

 

Dr (Lady) Sue Dale Tunnicliffe is a member of the Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME), member of the Editorial Board of the Institute of Education, University of London and she is also a Teacher Educator at the same institution.

 

Each of the above foreign delegates will give a keynote address during the symposium. Dr (Lady) Tunnicliffe will also run a pre-symposium workshop with teachers on the theme “Biology in and out of classroom”.

 

 

Keynote Address

 

Professor I Fagoonee, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius and Associate Professor Mrs. Jayantee Naugah, Adviser on Environmental Education and Awareness to the Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit and President of Society of Biology Teachers, will also give a keynote address.

 

Presentation of papers

 

The Symposium will comprise of Oral Presentations in the form of Plenary, Short Oral Presentations, Interactive, Practical Sessions, and Key Note Addresses on the following themes:

 

·         Emerging Issues in Biology Education

·         Innovative Pedagogy and Assessment in Biology

·         Biology in  and Beyond Classroom

·         Biology, Gender, Media and Sustainability

·         Biology Curriculum

·         Biology, Environment and Health Education

 

A total of 30 papers will be presented orally during the symposium. Moreover there are also some papers which will be presented in the form of posters. Some teachers have involved their pupils in a project entitled “Life in the lab”. Some of the projects will be displayed during the symposium.

 

Participating Institutions & Sponsors

 

This endeavor has the support of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources. 

 

The following institutions are extending their help to us:

 

·         Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute

·         Tertiary Education Commission

·         Mauritius Research Council

·         Air Mauritius

·         Edition de l’Ocean Indien

·         Edition Le Printemps

·         Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre

·         State Bank of Mauritius

·         NGO’s and other private companies.

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