Teaching Biodiversity commenced on the 21st September 2016 at UKZN Extended Learning, Innovation Centre. The delegates consisted of Life Science teachers from different Department of Basic Education districts around Durban. The course was funded by an NGO, Fundisa for Change, which adopts the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement approach. The programme was designed to deepen and entrench the teacher’s knowledge and practice by enhancing disciplinary content knowledge, exploring teaching strategies and improving assessment strategies. The academics that facilitated on the programme consisted of Dr Ronicka Mudaly, Dr Leonard Molefe and Dr Michele Stears.
The content that was covered during the three days included what Biodiversity is and the instrumental role it plays, as well as the human element within Biodiversity and its impact thereon. The programme included a field trip study which was later followed by a trip to ‘Pigeon Valley’ where delegates benefited from a practical session where they were able to apply what they had learnt in the classroom. This was one of the highlights for many of the delegates and allowed for practical application and visualisation of theory and concepts.