Active learning pedagogy in a conservation field trip course

This student-initiated project aims at promoting unique biodiversity within HKUST campus through the development of an interactive map using ArcGIS/ Mapme and informative virtual tours using 3DVista. We select a field trip course (OCES 2100 Conservation Field Trips) as the pilot run to adopt active learning pedagogy on conservation and sustainability. Students working in groups will design their own biodiversity routes on campus, conduct baseline survey and develop virtual tours with ecological information embedded in order to allow the students to have a better understanding on the HKUST biodiversity before the field trip. The active learning activities can also increase sense of belongings to the university, release stress and tension from study and exam, expand their capacity to integrate theory and practice. The key deliverables of the project include
(i) a database recording HKUST biodiversity;
(ii) a website comprising several information such as biodiversity routes, survey results and virtual tours;
(iii) an offline photo album with species listed according to taxonomy and conservation status;
(iv) a bank of useful educational materials such as photo ID sheet which facilitate species identification when students are in the field trip.
Our project takes the leading role in promoting unique biodiversity within the HKUST campus.