Secondary School Interface
Plants are indispensible for our daily life. They make up our daily food, they produce the oxygen we breathe and are part of the ecosystems we live in. A better understanding of the function of plants and their intricate role in our lives is, for many, a burning question of our time.
The Swiss Plant Science Web (SPSW) wants to share this fascination for plant sciences with the next generation of scientists.
The SPSW approaches high school teachers to join the framework of the teacher training program. Researchers from Swiss universities share their latest research and the trends with these teachers.
The teachers learn about cutting-edge research methods and experimentation in
one-dy workshops full of practical experiments and theoretical information. The format is designed such that the teachers can use the knowledge and experiments in their classrooms afterwards.
The spectrum of the topics covered is wide, e.g.,:
- the use of genetically modified vegetables as a nutrition source
- approaches towards a more sustainable use of plants in agriculture
- the contribution of plants to the biodiversity of our planet
- modern approaches in plant systematics
Each workshop will be completed with a discussion lead by distinguished experts in the respective field of research. This program serves to highlight how the scientific discipline impacts our daily life and addresses fundamental questions, e.g.,:
- how can modern methods in plant physiology provide new approaches for more sustainable agriculture?
- how can modern methods in plant physiology contribute to a better understanding of climate change?
Historical and contextual background information, latest and established theories, and above all, practical experiments are the ingredients of these exciting and engaging workshops. Although the discussed content is highly scientific, we ensure the link to relevant questions in our everyday life.
The vocational training workshops of the SPSW will be offered in regional learning centers in the respective local language with experts from the region. In this way, we create a regional dynamic for plant sciences with a national perspective. Dr. Harald Rauter is responsible for the development of the platform. He has many years of experience in fundamental research and teaching science to high-school students.
If you are interested in our workshops, in German or French, if you would like to contribute in the creation of a workshop, if you have ideas for experiments that you always wanted to do on your own school, or if you have general questions you are invited to directly contact Harald Rauter.
