FEBS Education Platform

Rectory building, University of Aveiro, Aveiro (Portugal); 12-13 October 2023

The purpose of this symposium is to advance the adoption of evidence-based and effective teaching practices in the field of biosciences education. Specifically, the symposium will focus on promoting active learning methods that enable students to engage more deeply with the course material, student engagement strategies that foster a sense of community and collaboration in the classroom, and leveraging research in science education to enhance the learning experience.

With the rapidly changing landscape of science, technology and artificial intelligence, it is crucial to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field of biosciences. The symposium will bring together experts in the field to discuss best practices and strategies for improving biosciences education.

Through interactive workshops and presentations, participants will learn about innovative teaching methods, explore new technologies for enhancing the classroom experience, and gain insight into the latest research in science education. This symposium will provide a valuable opportunity for educators, researchers, and professionals to collaborate and exchange ideas on how to improve biosciences education and prepare the next generation of bioscience professionals.​

SPIB 2023 welcomes the submission of abstracts for original contributors.

This symposium is supported by FEBS Education Committee, Sociedade Portuguesa de Bioquímica, Universidade de Aveiro, Universidade do Minho and IUBMB.

Registration and abstract submission are already open at the Symposium website

• FEBS Education Committee will provide 5 bursaries (400€ each) to partially cover the registration fee and travel expenses of participants from other FEBS Constituent Societies. Priority will be given to postgraduate students or early career researchers interested in education.
• The Portuguese Biochemical Society also offers bursaries to support participation of students/young scientists from Portugal. The bursaries will cover the early registration fee.
• FEBS Education Committee will give a Poster Prize (200€)

Programme:

Thursday, 12 October

• Opening session — Sandra Soares (Vice-Rector of University of Aveiro); Manuel João Costa (Pro-Rector of University of Minho)
• Session I - Pedagogical innovations for better learning — chaired by Vitor Costa (President of SPB), Daniel Dries (IUBMB), Student (NECIB)
  • The wet signs of good teaching and learning: curiosity & creativity — Ferhan G. Sağın (Chair of FEBS Education Committee)
  • Poster session
  • Enriching transversal competence development and cultural experience through blended mobility: exploring innovative approaches in biosciences — Asta Daunorienė (Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania)
  • Initiating and sustaining a culture of collaborative learning communities within a faculty of science — Jim O’Mahony (Munster Technological University, Ireland)
  • Title to be appointed by students — Christian Neves. Paulo Claro, Susana Loureiro (University of Aveiro)
  • 3 selected short talks

Friday, 13 October

• Session II - Students' engagement in our practices — chaired by Manuel J. Costa (Univ. Minho), Rosário Domingues (Univ. Aveiro), Student (NEQ)
  • Parallel workshops:
    1. Students’ engagement through design thinking methodology — Teresa Franqueira (University of Aveiro)
    2. Students as engaged readers of study materials with Perusall — Rui Oliveira (University of Minho)
    3. Innovative teaching with app-free and web-based augmented reality — Nuno Osório (University of Minho)
  • Promise and peril of AI in bioscience education – using these tools for effective learning — David Smith (Sheffield Hallam University, UK)
  • Academic integrity and student engagement in the age of artificial intelligence: Learning in a postplagiarism era — Sarah E. Eaton (University of Calgary, Canada)
• Session III - The 4C's skills for biosciences students to succeed in the workplace (Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication) — chaired by Pedro Domingues (Univ. Aveiro), Mª. Lourdes Pereira (Univ. Aveiro), Francisco Amado (Univ. Aveiro), Student (NEB)
  • Brewing science as a tool for the development of professional and academic skills — Gabriel Hornink (Federal University of Alfenas, Brazil)
  • Expanding frontiers: COIL as a tool to foster international collaboration among biomedical students. — Erick Silva (São Paulo State University, Brazil)
  • Problem-driven course design to engage students in active learning in molecular biology — Rui Oliveira (University of Minho)
  • Poster session
  • Learning in a competing environment – the relevance of complementary expertises— Manuel A. Coimbra (University of Aveiro)
  • 4 selected short talks
• Awards and Closing session