Elisabeth Nowak

Elisabeth Nowak is a Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Teacher Education Upper Austria (PH OÖ), focusing on biology education and environmental education. She has been affiliated with PH OÖ since 2021, contributing to teacher training programs for secondary-level biology education. Her work emphasizes competency-oriented learning tasks and the integration of core biological concepts into curricula.

Her career includes roles such as member of the core team for developing the new Biology and Environmental Education curriculum (2019–2021), lecturer at the University of Vienna’s AECC Biology (2011–2021), and curriculum advisor for secondary education in biology. She has also contributed to international educational assessments like PISA 2015 and TIMSS 2015.

Research interests span curriculum design, competency modeling, and innovative teaching methods. Notable contributions include studies on causal reasoning in biology education, competency-based assessment frameworks, and the use of games in sustainability education. Her work bridges theory and practice, aiming to enhance science literacy and teacher preparedness.

Elisabeth has held leadership roles in teacher training and professional development, including organizing workshops and contributing to national educational policies. Her recent publications highlight advancements in biology pedagogy and the alignment of curricula with competency-based educational goals.