• Plants In Action Edition 1
  • Plants In Action, 2nd Edition PDF files
  • Functional Plant Biology
  • Phytogen
  • Plant Detectives
Contact
facebook
twitter
email
  • About
    • 2021 Executive Committee
    • Discipline Representatives
    • ASPS representation
    • Website & Communications Sub-Committee
    • Past Presidents
    • AGM
    • Constitution
    • ASPS Diversity and Inclusion
  • Members
    • Join
    • Member log in
    • Membership Renewal
    • Member directory
    • Life Members
      • ASPS Life Member Professor Graham Farquhar
      • ASPS Life Member Associate Professor Hendrik (Hank) Greenway
      • ASPS Life Member Dr Marshall (Hal) D Hatch
      • ASPS Life Member Dr Paul E Kriedmann
      • ASPS Life Member Dr Mervyn Ludlow
      • ASPS Life Member Emeritus Professor Rana Munns
      • ASPS Life Member Conjoint Professor Christina E Offler
      • ASPS Life Member Professor (Charles) Barry Osmond
      • ASPS Life Member Emeritus Professor John W Patrick
      • ASPS Life Member Dr Joe Wiskich
    • Corresponding Members
    • Elected Fellows
  • Events
    • National Science Week 2021
    • ASPS 2021
      • ASPS2024 Abstract submission
    • ComBio2022
    • Upcoming Events/Add an Event
  • Awards & Funding
    • Peter Goldacre Award
    • Jan Anderson Award and Lecture
    • JG Wood Lecture
    • RN Robertson Lecture
    • RN Robertson Travelling Fellowship 2025
    • ASPS-FPB Best Paper Award
    • ASPS Education and Outreach Award
    • Student Travel Awards
    • ASPS Student Poster Prizes
  • Employment
    • Job Board
    • Post a Job
  • Publications
    • Phytogen
    • Functional Plant Biology
    • Plants In Action Edition 1
    • Plants In Action, 2nd Edition PDF files
  • Research
    • Ecophysiology
    • Genetics & Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology
    • Plant-Microbe Interactions
    • Plant Development
    • Whole Plants
  • Teaching
    • ASPS Teaching and Outreach Award Winners
    • Teaching Philosophy
    • Teaching Outreach
    • Resources
  • Menu
    • other stuff

Teaching

Plants have been the main source of food, fibre, fuel and medicine for thousands of years. The growing population means that more plant-derived resources will be needed, but as the arable land area is decreasing the required plant production will be one of the major challenges of the 21st century. Plant scientists will continue to play vital roles in future food security, ecosystem management and conservation.

One of the main challenges in promoting plant sciences is that people are usually taught in schools more about animals and human health, with plants having a lower profile. Many people then become fascinated by animals and human health sciences, before having an opportunity to discover plant science and the wonderful diversity of species and uses of plants. This is probably the main cause of lower numbers of students pursuing plant science and agriculture relative to other fields. A recent article listing 100 important questions for the plant sciences demonstrates the limitations to our current knowledge, and identifies important areas for future research on plants (Grierson et al., 2011). We will only be able to address future challenges in food security and fuel production by employing bright minds to work in plant sciences and agricultural research, supported by funding and facilities.

ASPS are committed to promote plant science education as one of its roles. This is realised by the development of teaching materials, recognition of innovative teaching of plant sciences, and the work of many ASPS members in plant science education at the University level (undergraduate students and post-graduate research training). The book Plants in Action 1 (written by ASPS and NZSPB members) is now available through our website, free of charge (and Plants in Action 2 is underway with Rana Munns, Susanne Schmidt and Christine Beveridge as Editors). The annual ASPS Education and Outreach Award is granted to an Australian plant scientist(s) making significant and innovative contributions to plant science teaching in our Universities. ASPS members actively participate in teaching in their own institutions, sharing of knowledge internationally via publications and conferences, industry forums, and also outreach to the general public via events such as annual Fascination of Plants Day.

 

In Progress:

  • slides or powerpoints, presentations
  • search of members with interest in teaching and outreach.
  • If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact our Plant Science Education Representative.

Upcoming Events

  • No events

Copyright 2017 Australian Society of Plant Scientists Disclaimer & Privacy
Website by Michael Major Media