Biology Education Research Group
Dina Tsybulsky, PhD. Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion
We were delighted to host Prof. Cora Cohen-Azria from the University of Lille (France)! Her talk offered fascinating perspectives on how schools and museums can work together to support young people’s scientific understanding — sparking a wonderful discussion about learning, culture, and science/biology education.
As part of the EuroTech Universities Graduate Travel Grant, Anna Pshenichny-Mamo visited the Laboratory for the History of Science and Technology at EPFL, hosted by Prof. Jérôme Baudry.
During the visit, she presented her ongoing research and current highlights from research in our group. She engaged in a stimulating discussion with Prof. Baudry and the lab members, receiving valuable feedback and insights.
The visit also included explorations of the natural history museums in Lausanne and Bern, as well as other scientific institutions in Switzerland, contributing to a broader understanding of science communication and the role of museums in public engagement with science.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the new edited volume Citizen Science Contributions to Biology and Environmental Education: Realities, Impact and Opportunities, edited by Prof. Dina Tsybulsky and Prof. Tali Tal, and published by Springer.
🔗https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-99298-8
The book brings together chapters written by leading international scholars, exploring how Citizen Science contributes to biology and environmental education and fosters meaningful connections between research, teaching, and public engagement.
Our research group proudly contributed two chapters to this volume — reflecting our ongoing work on citizen science, biology education, and authentic learning environments.
Ben-Simon, H. & Tsybulsky, D. (2025). The pedagogical potential of citizen science in cultivating scientific reasoning, statistical reasoning, and NOS understanding. In D. Tsybulsky, D. & T. Tal (Eds.), Citizen Science Contributions to Biology and Environmental Education: Realities, Impact and Opportunities. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99298-8_7
Dvir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. (2025). Engaging students with citizen science data: Gateway to new scientific frontiers. In D. Tsybulsky, D. & T. Tal (Eds.), Citizen Science Contributions to Biology and Environmental Education: Realities, Impact and Opportunities. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99298-8_5
Anna Pshenichny-Mamo contributed to the professional development course for guides at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History.
Her session focused on approaches for integrating Nature of Science (NOS) into museum tours, drawing on guidance practices developed through her research in collaboration with experienced guides.
The course created space for rich discussions around research-based practices and highlighted the vital role guides play as mediators between visitors and science. It also showed how practice-oriented professional development can empower guides to meaningfully embed NOS principles in informal learning environments.
Dayan, E. & Tsybulsky, D. (2025). Digital curation for teachers: Beyond collecting to achieving science teachers’ professional growth. Journal of Science Teacher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2025.2561731
Symposium
Tsybulsky, D. & Tal, T. Advancing Biology and Environmental Education through Citizen Science. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Symposium.
Tsybulsky, D. & Ben Simon, H. Transforming biology and environmental education through citizen science: the pedagogical potential of citizen science projects to cultivate scientific reasoning, statistical reasoning, and understanding of the nature of science. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Oral presentation in a symposium.
Oral presentations
Dagan, K. & Tsybulsky, D. Practical training for remote science teaching: Interrelations between experiences, pedagogical beliefs, and teaching practices. ICER2025 conference. Acre, Israel, September 2025. Oral presentation.
Ophir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. The development of facilitation expertise in a professional learning community: a leadership perspective from a community of biology teacher-facilitators. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Oral presentation.
Pshenichny-Mamo, A. & Tsybulsky, D. Integrating nature of science in natural history museums: Three research foci. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Oral presentation.
Stern, G. & Tsybulsky, D. Pedagogical design principles for promoting personalized learning through digital curation. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Oral presentation.
Posters
Ben Simon, H., & Tsybulsky, D. The role of designed purposes in mediating authentic scientific purposes in citizen science projects. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Poster presentation. PDF.
Yifrach, L., & Tsybulsky, D. Authentic inquiry-based learning as a lever for understanding the nature of science: from personal sleep tracking to scientific laboratory research. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Poster presentation. PDF.
Warmest congratulations to Remah Haj on her M.Sc. graduation 🎉
Wishing her the best of luck as she continues her academic journey in the direct Ph.D. track!
We are delighted to share that Anna Pshenichny-Mamo, Ph.D. student in our research group, has been awarded the Technion’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance – Spring 2024, as well as the Consistent Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for Winter 2025. 🏆
These recognitions highlight Anna’s dedication to teaching and her significant contribution to the training of future educators alongside her doctoral research.
Congratulations, Anna!
✨ ESERA 2025 – Copenhagen✨
Haj, R. & Tsybulsky, D. Activating epistemic emotions to enhance student engagement in socio-scientific issues through digital curation. ESERA 2025. Copenhagen, Denmark, August 2025. Oral presentation. Abstract.
Ophir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. Designing pedagogical goals in biology facilitators’ PLC and their contribution to meaningful learning experiences and leadership as expertise. ESERA 2025. Copenhagen, Denmark, August 2025. Oral presentation. Abstract.
Pshenichny-Mamo, A. & Tsybulsky, D. Professional development of museum guides to integrate the nature of science in guided tours. ESERA2025 conference. Copenhagen, Denmark, August 2025. Poster Symposium. PDF.
Stern, G. & Tsybulsky, D. Integrating digital curation in science education: a pathway to personalized learning. ESERA 2025. Copenhagen, Denmark, August 2025. Oral presentation. Abstract.
