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
1. Introduction to the scientific method and experiment- basic concepts, importance of the scientific method in education.
2. Scientific methodology - stages of he research process: formulating questions, data collection, interpretation.
3. The role of experiments in education - why experiments matter in teaching biology and nature, examples from practice.
4. Design and implementation of experiments in research - variables, control, sampling, repetition.
5. Hypothesis testing - formulating research questions and turning them into testable hypotheses.
6. Quantitative data and their processing - types of data, recording, basic tools for presenting results.
7. Key concepts of experimental work in ecology - experiments at the level of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
8. Laboratory work and fieldwork - differences, advantages, limitations; safety aspects.
9. Student project -introduction to project work, group dynamics, and task distribution.
10. Planning individual projects -defining objectives, hypotheses, methodology, and expected outcomes.
11. Implementation of individual projects - conducting research, data collection, and documentation.
12. Evaluation of individual projects - analysis of results, assessment, and suggestions for improvement.
13. Teaching ecology and ecological research - integrating the research approach into teaching nature and biology.
14. Project presentations - student project presentations, discussion, and exchange of experiences.
15. Final evaluation and discussion - synthesis of knowledge, reflection on the learning process, and possibilities for application in schools.
SEMINARS 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, 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.
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Practical Field Ecology: A Project Guide., C. P. Wheater, J. R. Bell, P. A. Cook, Wiley-Blakwell, Oxford UK, 2011.
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On line materiijali, Razni autori.
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Pristupačnost
