Sep 26, 2026
Learning, Teaching, and Researching with living animals: Annual Conference of the Association of Vivarium Schools ("Ring der Vivariumschulen") Hosted by TU Dresden
Participants at the annual conference of the Association of Vivarium Schools in Dresden
How can learning with live animals in biology class be successful—academically sound, inquiry-based, and always with animal welfare in mind? This question drives the members of the Association of Vivarium Schools ("Ring der Vivariumschulen") in their daily educational work and was the focus of this year’s annual conference, held September 24–26 at TU Dresden.
Erprobung einer diversitätssensibel aufgearbeiteten Lernstation zur Rosageflügelten Stabschrecke
As the host, the Chair of Didactics of Biology provided insights into the petZ teaching and learning spaces and demonstrated how live animals are integrated into the training of prospective biology teachers. In workshops, participants had the opportunity to conduct their own research with animals, test new teaching ideas, and exchange experiences from schools and universities. Luisa Althaus presented approaches from current research as part of her doctoral dissertation on animal-assisted, diversity-sensitive learning. Prof. Monique Meier’s workshop combined biological observation with artistic creation to open up new perspectives on animals and their structures. Another highlight was the hands-on testing of selected petZ learning modules. This demonstrated how direct encounters with animals can be linked to observation, hypothesis formation, and experimental work.
Im Workshop „Tiere anders sehen“ zum fächerverbindenden Lernen mit und zu Tieren wurden die Teilnehmenden selbst kreativ
Beyond the workshops, the conference offered a wide range of perspectives that looked beyond the usual scope: from the connection between animal husbandry and species conservation in the Citizen Conservation presentation; to the Botanical Garden as a historically significant learning site; to insights into research in applied zoology, which uses bed bugs and medaka fish as model organisms in reproductive and developmental biology.
Bettwanze unter dem Binokular im Labor der Angewandten Zoologie
The three days spent together thus offered not only professional inspiration but, above all, an opportunity for exchange, new ideas, and the further development of learning with live animals—across the boundaries of schools and universities.