معرفی
Ina Schanz serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Biology and Didactics at the University of Trier since 2021, holding the position of abgeordnete Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben (LfbA) – a specialized teaching role bridging university education and secondary school practice. Concurrently, she maintains her position as Oberstudienrätin at Stefan-Andres-Gymnasium Schweich since 2010, teaching Biology (bilingually in English), Natural Sciences, and English.
Her academic foundation includes:
- First State Examination in Biology and English from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (2003-2007)
- Teacher training (Referendariat) at State Seminar Kaiserslautern with Second State Examination (2008-2010)
- Bilingual qualification in Biology instruction (English)
Dr. Schanz's research centers on Species Literacy – the practical application of taxonomic knowledge and understanding of species' ecological significance. Her work systematically investigates factors influencing this competency to develop evidence-based teaching strategies for biodiversity education. She designs and evaluates educational materials for diverse learning environments, with particular focus on inquiry-based approaches that connect biological concepts to real-world conservation challenges.
Her 2024 publication exemplifies this approach through a mystery-based learning activity addressing smartphone overuse impacts on the musculoskeletal system. The research demonstrates integration of health education with biological systems thinking, utilizing innovative pedagogical formats (Mysterys) to engage students in critical analysis of technology-health interactions within biological frameworks.
As an active science education advocate, she serves as juror for Jugend forscht competitions in Trier since 2019 and previously in Kaiserslautern. Her university responsibilities include:
- Teaching Module 4: Subject Didactics 1
- Supervising student theses (Anmeldung Abschlussarbeiten)
- Contributing to educational initiatives like Bee.Ed and BioGeoLab
Her laboratory affiliations include the BioGeoLab at University of Trier, where she develops geoscience-biology integrated curricula. The Bee.Ed project reflects her commitment to creating interdisciplinary educational resources that connect classroom learning to environmental stewardship through hands-on biological investigations.