Abstract:
Biological science has undergone exponential growth and change in the past 150 years. These changes have included the nature of biological knowledge, organisation of the discipline, and the process of biological research. As a result, secondary school biology education has also experienced extensive growth and change, influenced by advances in biological science, technology, pedagogy, and educational practice. Advances in science and technology leading to growth in understanding of biology have impacted on society in areas of health, horticulture, agriculture, biotechnology, sustainability and environmental management. The complexity of the biological concepts that 21 st century society engages with, and the relevance of biology to daily life mean that development of functional biological literacy is more complex and potentially more important than ever before. New Zealand has a national curriculum statement that is intended as a guiding framework from which communities will set their own school and classroom curricula. Collaboration between teachers, scientists, and communities is required to explore what this will evolve to mean for biology education in 21 st century New Zealand schools. While moving forward, it is valuable to look back and to consider where we have come from and how the pathway thus far can assist as we shape the pathway forward.
