Conceptions of prospective biology teachers about the Wadden Sea ecosystem

Prospective biology teachers' conceptions of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant educational potential, reveal a focus on school contexts and experience-oriented associations. The study, involving 209 participants from Germany, used word association tests to explore their perceptions of terms like 'Wadden Sea,' 'mudflat hiking tour,' 'tides,' 'national park,' and 'UNESCO World Heritage Site.' Findings indicate that while prospective teachers share some associations with secondary school students—particularly those related to experiential learning—they prioritize educational frameworks. This suggests a need for greater integration of the Wadden Sea into university teacher training programs, as highlighted by the study's authors.

Schmäing, T., & Grotjohann, N. (2022). Conceptions of prospective biology teachers about the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Heliyon, 8(11), e11334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11334