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Inquiry-based science education in metal polluted areas in Peru: training teachers how to teach science by the use of biosensors

Breakout Session 4

Project

Erasmushogeschool Brussel / UPCH, Lima, Peru

January 2020- February 2022

This project aims to provide a proof-of-concept on how to improve science education in Peru by training teachers on developing student's inquiries about local pollution using biotechnology. The Ministry of Education (MINEDU) has recently adopted a new curriculum centered on the skills for scientific inquiry; however, because Peruvian scientific development and education are ranked among the lowest of the continent, there is a need for examples and training on how to teach in an inquiry-based way. Therefore, we want to develop a training course for teachers on student-centered research projects using biosensors for the detection of heavy metal pollution.

Besides improving educational practices, we expect to create awareness on pollution, display the potential benefit of biotechnology, inspire and empower teachers. The sustainability of these activities will rely on a network of University researchers committed to collaborate with high-school education, the constant coordination with key actors of the MINEDU and the possibility to deploy a follow-up Citizen Science program on detecting heavy metal pollution. The educational part of the project. How we organized the courses. How we engaged local partners. How the project is perceived. How we maintain contact and follow up the achievements of the local partners.

Speakers

Tom Peeters

Tom Peeters is a researcher and appointed lecturer biotechnology & microbiology associated with the bachelor program Biomedical Laboratory Sciences at Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Belgium. Tom got his PhD in Biotechnology at KULeuven (Belgium) where he elucidated signal transduction pathways in yeast. As a post-doctoral researcher at UPF (Spain) he genetically rewired yeast cells to behave as logic gates for biocomputing. It's there that he developed his enthusiasm for the fascinating field of synthetic biology.

As a researcher his interests include applied biotechnology, synthetic bio, STEAM education and bio-art. He enjoys collaborating with his students and research partners on these topics

Daniel Guerra