Biology education

In showcasing the connections between biology education at school and university, the research group for biology education’s collection stands out as one of a kind in Germany. It is used in teaching and research as well as for German secondary and grammar school teacher training. It also serves as an invaluable source for teachers and trainee teachers who can borrow items from the collection to use them in class.

Dating back to the 1950s, the collection includes plaster casts, wax and plastic models of plants and animals (or parts of them), as well as wet and dry specimens. On top of that, it is a treasure trove of pull-down maps, slides, and films. The collection comprises more than 1,000 objects, the greater part of which is now available online. Many of these objects were handcrafted by renown, local manufacturers such as Meusel and SOMSO in Sonneberg, Schüler/Mass in Halle, and Osterloh in Leipzig. The collection also includes teaching materials created back in the days by former GDR teachers in Communist East Germany.

All of this highlights the collection’s historical significance. Its value goes far beyond teaching biology at school today. It is also a rich source on the history of biology education and teacher training.