COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of the course Research in Ecology for Students is to train students to understand the scientific method and principles of ecological research and to apply them in teaching nature and biology. Through lectures, practical exercises, project-based learning, and seminar work, students will acquire fundamental scientific and methodological skills necessary for designing and conducting experiments in an educational context. The course enables students to recognize the challenges and advantages of introducing ecological research into school education and to develop the ability for critical thinking, planning, and evaluation of research projects. The emphasis is on linking theory and practice, fostering scientific curiosity and inquiry-based learning, developing creativity and teamwork, and applying quantitative methods and statistical analysis.
COURSE CONTENT
1st lecture (1 hour) Introduction to the scientific method and experiment ? basic concepts, importance of the scientific method in education.
2nd lecture (1 hour) Scientific methodology ? stages of the research process: formulating questions, data collection, interpretation.
3rd lecture (1 hour) The role of experiments in education ? why experiments matter in teaching biology and nature, examples from practice.
4th lecture (1 hour) Design and implementation of experiments in research ? variables, control, sampling, repetition.
5th lecture (1 hour) Hypothesis testing ? formulating research questions and turning them into testable hypotheses.
6th lecture (1 hour) Quantitative data and their processing ? types of data, recording, basic tools for presenting results.
7th lecture (1 hour) Key concepts of experimental work in ecology ? experiments at the level of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
8th lecture (1 hour) Laboratory work and fieldwork ? differences, advantages, limitations; safety aspects.
9th lecture (1 hour) Student project ? introduction to project work, group dynamics, and task distribution.
10th lecture (1 hour) Planning individual projects ? defining objectives, hypotheses, methodology, and expected outcomes.
11th lecture (1 hour) Implementation of individual projects ? conducting research, data collection, and documentation.
12th lecture (1 hour) Evaluation of individual projects ? analysis of results, assessment, and suggestions for improvement.
13th lecture (1 hour) Teaching ecology and ecological research ? integrating the research approach into teaching nature and biology.
14th lecture (1 hour) Project presentations ? student project presentations, discussion, and exchange of experiences.
15th lecture (1 hour) Final evaluation and discussion ? synthesis of knowledge, reflection on the learning process, and possibilities for application in schools.
SEMINARS
(1 hour/week) ? follow the course content. Through seminar work, students gain experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing ecological research, including laboratory and fieldwork, as well as presenting the final project.
PRACTICUM
(1 hour/week) ? students conduct a mesocosm experiment in real time, simulating a natural ecosystem in a school garden. Building on the knowledge acquired in lectures and seminars, students develop and bring a student research project to its final stage, giving it meaning within the context of teaching nature and biology in schools.
FORMS OF TEACHING
Lectures, seminars, laboratory and field exercises, blended e-learning, independent assignments, mentoring.
STUDENT OBLIGATIONS
Regular attendance of lectures, seminars, and exercises. Completion and submission of assignments via the Merlin e-learning system, participation in fieldwork. Preparation and presentation of a seminar paper and research project.
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