Connecting plant science education in undergraduate life science courses to plant awareness disparity, Vision and Change , and sustainability careers

• DOI: 10.1080/00219266.2024.2386253
• Publication Date: 2024-08-13T06:43:11Z
• Authors: Bin Zhu; Kathryn M. Parsley; Heather P. Griscom; Lisa E. Wallace; Robin Castellano; Roxana Gonzalez; David Ospina; Melissa McCartney
• Keywords: Plant science

Ensuring that botany and plant sciences are being included in undergraduate life science curricula is necessary for developing a future global sustainability workforce. To gain baseline understanding, we surveyed educators the U.S. about current botanical education. We further evaluated these data to determine connections frameworks of awareness disparity (PAD), framework detailing inability notice or appreciate plants one's own environment, Vision Change, an educational preparing biology students 21st century. Results from 245 responses revealed most instructors use examples implement diverse hands-on experiences. Our suggest experiences better suited address PAD, more practice-centred framework, while increase understanding core concepts concept-centred framework. recommend should 1) remain diligent providing large introductory courses, 2) incorporate education general courses (not required by major but institutions) non-major 3) include outside efforts.