Bottom-Up PBL based biological research in High Schools

Research as taught in schools at present is mostly digital, based on the cut-and-paste principle with little/no practical/field exercises. This does not induce familiarity for the high school students (HSS) with their surroundings resulting in an apathy that is of concern. We must encourage future pedagogy wherein students are equipped with the capabilities to be leaders, decision-makers, and responsible citizens. Place Based Learning (PBL) becomes a necessity such that the HSS acquire a filial-feeling to their surroundings. Only then will they act responsibly and strive to ensure its` safety. To fledge responsible HSS we teach with an attitude of glocalism, permutation, and science-oriented personal research projects such that the student strives to attain a good grade for the senior school certificate but also personal gain and knowledge. We have observed that of the 183 students that have to date participated in our program, almost all have become positive elements of the Israeli society. For example, in a recent protest against the destruction/development of the Eilat beaches, 68% (N = 124) wrote protest letters to the local mayor indicating their emotional ties to the areas in which they had in the past conducted research as HSS. Further, they readily give presentations for the preservation of their surroundings to a wide range of audiences, incl. local media; and publish their studies as peer-reviewed scientific publications. We encourage schools to adopt the PBL method to better our education goals and to better prepare our students for their recruitment into our societies.