CMEC Schools
Research-based teaching
At the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC), we contribute to the education of students and teachers in both primary and lower secondary schools as well as in high schools. We collaborate with stakeholders and institutions across the country to contribute to scientific literacy through research-based science education.
Our products
We develop high-quality learning materials for students and supplementary training for teachers based on the latest research knowledge. Our products include lesson plans, inquiry-based activities, scientific texts, videos, interactive figures, fieldwork, articles, teacher training courses, workshops, and talks.
Read more about our projects in the menus below.
A Greener Climate (Et grønnere klima) is an interdisciplinary program for lower secondary school focused on nature-based climate solutions. The activities are based on the students' own investigations of the local natural environment, such as forests or freshwater. The course is being developed in collaboration with the Department of Biology at the University of Southern Denmark, the Danish Biology Teachers' Association (Biologiforbundet), the Danish Science Teachers' Association (Danmarks Naturfagslærerforening), the Geography Teachers' Association (Geografforbundet), and Astra.
Supported by the Villum Foundation.
Project leaders
Karsten Elmose Vad og Carsten Rahbek.
Project group
CMEC: Katrine Minddal, Anders Højgård Petersen, Carsten Rahbek, and Karsten Elmose Vad.
SDU: Rune Steinfurth, Gary Banta, Marianne Holmer, Theis Kragh, and Emma Polauke.
Contact
Read more (in Danish)
The project Biodiversity in High Schools (Biodiversitet i gymnasiet) includes learning materials and lesson plans about biodiversity for biology and biotechnology classes in high schools, plus supplementary teacher training. The project is developed in a collaboration with the Association for Danish Biologists (FaDB).
Supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Project leaders
Carsten Rahbek and Karsten Elmose Vad.
Project group
Emma Emilie Andersen, Carsten Rahbek, Katrine Minddal, Karsten Elmose Vad, and Lars Johansen (FaDB).
Contact
Read more (in Danish)
In collaboration with the Science Club (Videnskabsklubben), CMEC has created the program Earth System Science (Jordsystemvidenskab) for 5th–6th grade students. The program consists of a series of activities, games, and investigations where the mini scientists gain a deeper understanding of our amazing planet and all its systems. The program is based on research by Professor Katherine Richardson and Professor Carsten Rahbek.
Read more (in Danish)
Project group
CMEC: Mette Elsnab Olesen, Katrine Minddal, Karsten Elmose Vad, Carsten Rahbek, and Katherine Richardson.
Videnskabsklubben: Sarah Kirkegaard Verver.
Contact
The project Through the Eyes of the Researcher (Med forskerens øjne) introduces and tests the method Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) in science education in primary and lower secondary schools. The method is focused on strengthening students' ability to observe, describe, and discuss to foster curiosity and active participation in the classroom. The project is a collaboration between CMEC, selected teachers, and experts from VTS Danmark.
Supported by the LEO Foundation
Project leader
Karsten Elmose Vad
Project group
CMEC: Katrine Minddal, Carsten Rahbek, and Karsten Elmose Vad.
VTSDanmark: Anna Zieler and Marie A. Hesse.
Contact
Together with Science Talents (Science Talenter) in Sorø, CMEC is organizing a biodiversity camp for students in their second and third year of high school. During this three-day camp we perform fieldwork in Suserup Forest. Here, we identify species and collect our own data, which is later processed in Science Talents' laboratories and supplemented with theoretical knowledge.
Project group
CMEC: Emma Emilie Andersen, Jacob Heilmann-Clausen, Karsten Elmose Vad, Nathan Michielsen, and Ea Luna Burmeister Kaaring.
Astra: Sheela Kirpekar, and Martin Just Majlund.
Contact
Read more (in Danish)
The ABC of Science: Biodiversity as the foundation for nature and human life
The ABC of Science (Naturvidenskabens ABC) is a theme package, magazine, and inspiration for teaching biodiversity from grades 1-9 in primary and upper secondary schools, based on the research of Professor Carsten Rahbek, and developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Education as part of the ABC of Science initiative.
Contact
The ABC of Science: Ocean and Climate in the Anthropocene
Theme package, magazine, and inspiration for teaching ocean and climate topics for grades 1–9 in primary and upper secondary school, based on Professor Katherine Richardson’s research. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Education as part of the ABC of Science (Naturvidenskabens ABC) initiative.
Contact
What Nature? (Hvilken natur?) is an anthology about environmental philosophy and the natural environment in Denmark, edited by Anne Katrine Gjerløff and Karsten Elmose Vad. Published by the Danish Biology Teachers’ Association (Biologiforbundet) in 2021 with support from the June 15 Foundation. CMEC contributed with three chapters (written in Danish):
- Karsten Elmose Vad: Natursyn – forstå dit eget og andres syn på vores natur
- Carsten Rahbek: Hvad er biodiversitet – og hvorfor er den vigtig for os?
- Carsten Rahbek: Danmarks biodiversitet: status, trusler og fremtid
Contact
Christensen, A.E., Minddal, K. & Vad, K.E. 2025. ”Undervisning i naturbaserede løsninger”. CMEC. Download.
Rahbek, C., Vad, K.E., Mebus, J. & Andersen, E.E. 2023. ”Biodiversitet. Arter, gener og økosystemer”. FaDB & CMEC. Download.
Vad, K.E. 2021. ”Natursyn – forstå dit eget og andres syn på vores natur” i Gjerløff, A.K. & Vad, K.E. ”Hvilken natur?”. Biologiforbundet. Read more (in Danish).
Rahbek, C. 2021. ”Hvad er biodiversitet – og hvorfor er den vigtig for os?” i Gjerløff, A.K. & Vad, K.E. ”Hvilken natur?”. Biologiforbundet. Download.
Rahbek, C. 2021. ”Danmarks biodiversitet: status, trusler og fremtid” i Gjerløff, A.K. & Vad, K.E. ”Hvilken natur?”. Biologiforbundet. Download.
Vad, K.E. 2018. ”Hvad er et natursyn?”. Biologiforbundet. Kaskelot nr. 222.
Our purpose
We aim to ensure that schools and high schools have access to up-to-date and research-based knowledge within CMEC’s core areas such as biodiversity, climate, and sustainability. We want to share CMEC’s vast scientific knowledge to ultimately contribute to students’ scientific literacy.
Our methods
Our products are developed through a mutual collaboration between university research and the school sector. Our design process takes place in close interaction between scientific researchers, professional developers, and teachers. We ensure relevance and usability by consistently testing and evaluating our products with teachers and students.