Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Science Program in Biology for Teachers is strategically designed to empower educators with advanced knowledge and skills, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum's philosophy centers on producing graduates who can integrate modern biological concepts with innovative teaching methodologies, fostering a new generation of scientifically literate and environmentally conscious citizens. This focus inherently supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing the capacity of teachers and promoting lifelong learning. The program's strong emphasis on community-based learning, biodiversity, conservation, and ecology directly addresses SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By incorporating local biotechnology and applied sciences, the curriculum also aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The core components of research and seminars ensure that graduates are not only educators but also contributors to knowledge, fostering the collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
Master of Science in Biology for Teachers at Khon Kaen University has demonstrated excellence in enhancing educational quality for sustainable development by recognizing the challenges faced by teachers in delivering advanced biological knowledge that genuinely raises awareness and inspires students to engage in solving complex environmental issues. Accordingly, the curriculum integrates core courses such as SC 187 501 Seminar in Biology for Teachers and SC 187 899 Thesis to develop teacher competencies in designing and implementing inquiry-based science projects focused on environmental conservation and sustainable resource use. This initiative collaborates with teachers from a network of 20 secondary schools in Northeast Thailand to co-develop integrated learning modules and class-level research projects addressing local environmental problems.
Empirically, all participants successfully developed 25 academically accredited teaching innovations and learning modules, which were applied in real classroom settings. The initiative led to sustainable, broad impacts through creating a network of expert applied biology teachers capable of fostering classroom change. Evaluations found that students involved exhibited an average 35% increase in analytical thinking and environmental problem-solving skills, with student projects extending to concrete environmental solutions in their communities.
This success aligns strategically with SDG 4: Quality Education, focusing on elevating teacher quality and inclusive learning environments; SDG 13: Climate Action, by raising environmental knowledge and awareness among youth who are future leaders; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, representing essential cooperation between the university and schools as a key mechanism for knowledge transfer and sustainable educational impact at the regional level.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally centered on enhancing the quality of education by upgrading the skills and knowledge of biology teachers. It provides lifelong learning opportunities for educators, equipping them with advanced subject matter expertise, research skills, and innovative teaching strategies to inspire the next generation of learners.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 001 | Community-based Biology | This course enhances the quality of education by training teachers to use the local community as a living laboratory, making learning relevant and promoting lifelong engagement with science (Target 4.7). |
| **SC 187 003 | Science Communication for Science Teachers | Directly supports quality education by developing teachers' skills to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively, making science accessible and engaging for all students (Target 4.7). |
| **SC 187 891 | Seminar in Biology for Teachers | Provides a lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3) for teachers to engage with current research, enhancing their professional development and ensuring they bring up-to-date knowledge into the classroom. |
| **SC 187 893 | Research Methodology in Biology for Teachers | Improves the quality of teaching by equipping educators with research skills, enabling them to guide students in scientific inquiry and foster critical thinking (Target 4.4). |
| **SC 187 899 | Thesis | This capstone research experience represents a significant lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), empowering teachers to become creators of knowledge, which in turn enriches their teaching practice. |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: The curriculum fosters innovation by linking biological knowledge to local industries and technologies. The "Local Biotechnology" course encourages the development of small-scale, sustainable enterprises based on local resources, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization from the community level up.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 010 | Local Biotechnology | Promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization (Target 9.2) by empowering teachers and their communities to develop small-scale biotechnology enterprises based on local wisdom and resources. |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program strengthens the link between education and community resilience. It trains teachers to utilize their local environment as a teaching tool, fostering a sense of place and encouraging community-based solutions to environmental challenges, which is crucial for building sustainable and inclusive communities.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 001 | Community-based Biology | Supports the development of sustainable communities by training teachers to engage with local stakeholders and use community-based knowledge to solve local problems, strengthening the link between education and local development (Target 11.A). |
| **SC 187 009 | Biodiversity and Conservation for Teachers | Contributes to making communities more sustainable by educating teachers on the importance of local biodiversity and cultural heritage, empowering them to lead conservation efforts within their communities (Target 11.4). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum promotes principles of responsible consumption and production by focusing on sustainable agriculture and the use of local bio-resources. The "Local Biotechnology" course, in particular, encourages the efficient use of natural resources and the development of value-added products from local materials, fostering sustainable practices at the community level.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 010 | Local Biotechnology | Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching the application of biotechnology to local products, sustainable agriculture, and value-added production. |
SDG 14: Life Below WaterAlignment Summary: The program contributes to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems by providing specialized education in freshwater biology and aquatic toxicology. It equips teachers with the knowledge to educate their students and communities about the importance of protecting freshwater resources from pollution and other human impacts.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 007 | Aquatic Toxicology for Teachers | Supports the reduction of marine pollution from land-based activities (Target 14.1) by educating teachers on the impacts of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems, enabling them to raise community awareness. |
| **SC 187 301 | Freshwater Biology for Teachers | Directly supports the conservation of freshwater ecosystems (Target 14.2) by providing teachers with a deep understanding of freshwater life and the skills to assess environmental impacts from human activities. |
SDG 15: Life On LandAlignment Summary: The curriculum is strongly aligned with protecting terrestrial ecosystems. Courses in ecology, biodiversity, conservation, and botany provide teachers with a comprehensive understanding of life on land, empowering them to educate students and communities on the importance of sustainable land use and halting biodiversity loss.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 005 | Ecology for Teachers | Directly contributes to the protection of terrestrial ecosystems by providing a deep understanding of ecosystem functions and the importance of conservation biology (Target 15.1). |
| **SC 187 009 | Biodiversity and Conservation for Teachers | Aims to halt biodiversity loss (Target 15.5) by educating teachers on the value of biodiversity, conservation strategies, and relevant laws, empowering them to lead conservation efforts. |
| *SC 187 102 | Plant Taxonomy for Teachers | Supports the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems by providing foundational knowledge in plant identification and classification, which is essential for biodiversity assessment and conservation (Target 15.1). |
| **SC 187 104 | Applied Botany for Teachers | Promotes the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by teaching the application of botanical knowledge in agriculture and environmental management (Target 15.2). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program enhances partnerships by equipping teachers—who are key community leaders—with the skills to communicate scientific knowledge and collaborate on local issues. The research and seminar components require engagement with the broader academic world, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing that is essential for achieving the SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| **SC 187 001 | Community-based Biology | Fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.17) by training teachers to collaborate with local communities to use science for addressing local needs and challenges. |
| **SC 187 899 | Thesis | Represents a contribution to the global partnership for sustainable development by creating new knowledge that is shared with the international scientific community to help solve critical challenges (Target 17.6). |