Enhancing Science Education in Botanical Gardens and National Parks: Dr. YAN Xiaomei's UK Visit

Dr. YAN Xiaomei, backed by the Chinese Society for Plant Biology, recently returned from a pivotal visit to England aimed at elevating the role of science education in botanical gardens and national parks. This visit was a significant step in the project 'Elevating the Role of Science Education in Botanical Gardens and National Parks,' focusing on the UK's implementation of science education programs.

The visit was designed to explore various facets of science education, including teaching methods and content, resources, the composition and professional growth of education teams, and the underlying mechanisms and systems. Special attention was given to the pedagogical approaches towards critical issues such as sustainable development and climate change.

Dr. YAN engaged in meaningful dialogues with education teams, school teachers, and leaders of the PGCE science program at UCL. These discussions spanned the design and delivery of science education programs, the professional development of the education teams, and the establishment of collaborations between gardens and schools.

Throughout her ten-day visit, Dr. YAN and her colleagues explored a variety of botanic gardens and parks, including the historic Chelsea Physics Garden, the esteemed Kew Botanic Garden, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and the vast Royal Hyde Park.

In an effort to strengthen the bond between gardens and schools, Dr. YAN interviewed leaders from the 'Field Studies Council' and the 'Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.' These conversations revolved around the councils' provision of science courses to schools, continuous professional development (CPD) programs for teachers, and the evaluation of educational sites and venues.

Dr. YAN also delved into the critical role teachers play in science education outside the traditional classroom, conducting interviews with PGCE program leaders from King's College London and the UCL Institute of Education (IOE). Their experiences with integrating outdoor learning into pre-service teachers' training were invaluable.

The visit highlighted the importance of incorporating sustainable development and climate change into the educational curriculum, examining how these topics are addressed in the UK's science education system. This focus aligns with the global push for environmental awareness and the need to prepare future generations for the challenges of climate change.

The findings from Dr. YAN's visit are anticipated to provide substantial insights for the development of science education programs in China's botanical gardens and national parks. They will contribute to the "Double Reduction" policy's goal of enriching science education and fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Written by YAN Xiaomei

Proofread and Edited by CHEN Ruoxi