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Defining epigenetic literacy: How to integrate epigenetics into the biology curriculum
Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Karlstad University,Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8735-2102
Swedish Red Cross University, Department of Health Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4984-2415
2023 (English)In: Journal of Research in Science Teaching, ISSN 0022-4308, E-ISSN 1098-2736, Vol. 60, no 10, p. 2216-2254Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of this study is to define epigenetic literacy and describe how it can be included in school biology. Epigenetics is a new field of research in biology with abundant societal consequences and conceptual implications on how genetics is understood. Epigenetics explains how genes are regulated, thereby clarifying cell differentiation, and providing an understanding of how the environment interacts with genes. Students are bound to encounter epigenetic knowledge and applications related to issues such as health, food, and exercise in the media and their everyday lives. Consequently, there is a need to develop epigenetic literacy. Nevertheless, epigenetics is missing in biology curricula and is almost unknown among teachers and students. Research on epigenetics in science education is scarce, and we do not know what and how to teach. Therefore, we conducted a policy Delphi study with a panel of experts to define an epigenetic literacy framework for teaching in secondary education in relation to Robert's Vision I and Vision II perspectives on epigenetic literacy. Participants were 41 recognized international experts representing 11 countries and five areas of expertise. The experts suggested that epigenetics should be introduced in the lower secondary genetics course (students aged 13–15 years), but also addressed in other relevant areas of biology. The study generated six content themes: epigenetics as a metaphor; epigenetics connecting nature with nurture; epigenetics as a dynamic process; epigenetic mechanisms; epigenetics and inheritance; and epigenetics and nature of science, and five sociocultural themes for contextualization: epigenetics and lifestyle; epigenetics and diseases; epigenetics and ethics; epigenetics and policies; and epigenetics and forensics. Taken together, these themes constitute the epigenetic literacy framework. Further, we uncover divergent meanings in the expert panel—as is typical of policy Delphi studies—and connect the framework to genetic literacy and learning progressions in genetics education.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2023. Vol. 60, no 10, p. 2216-2254
Keywords [en]
biology curriculum, Delphi study, epigenetic literacy, genetics education, secondary education
National Category
Didactics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:rkh:diva-4581DOI: 10.1002/tea.21856OAI: oai:DiVA.org:rkh-4581DiVA, id: diva2:1748748
Projects
Epigenetik som allmänbildning och del av skolans biologiundervisning
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2016‐04232Available from: 2023-04-04 Created: 2023-04-04 Last updated: 2023-11-30Bibliographically approved

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Mc Ewen, Birgitta

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