A Toolbox for Integrating the One Health Approach Into Biology Teacher Training

Tamara Esquivel-Martín; José Manuel Pérez-Martín

doi:10.2478/jtes-2025-0021

Abstract

This study advocates integrating the One Health approach into biology teacher education to address the current fragmentation of human, animal, and environmental health teaching across disciplines such as medicine, veterinary science, and ecology. Recognizing gaps in teacher training, particularly in didactic strategies for holistic instruction, the study presents the design of an instructional activity within the expanding One Health toolbox for biology educators. Using mitosis as a gateway topic, the activity situates cellular processes within an ecotoxicology scenario of herbicide contamination in a freshwater lagoon. Through inquiry, modeling, and argumentation, pre-service teachers investigate environmental, animal, and human health interconnections while reflecting on strategies for classroom integration. This design aims to strengthen biology teacher competencies (TeachComp) and contribute to reorienting teacher education towards sustainability, fostering eco-social awareness and interdisciplinary thinking essential for addressing contemporary health and environmental crises.

References

Amuasi, J. H., Lucas, T., Horton, R., & Winkler, A. S. (2020). Reconnecting for our future: The Lancet One Health Commission. Lancet, 395, 1469–1471. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31027-8
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barrett, M. A., Bouley, T. A., Stoertz, A. H., & Stoertz, R. W. (2011). Integrating a One Health approach in education to address global health and sustainability challenges. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9, 239–245. https://doi.org/10.1890/090159
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bianchi, G., Pisiotis, U., & Cabrera-Giraldez, M. (2022). GreenComp The European sustainability competence framework. Joint Research Centre. http://dx.doi.org/10.2760/13286
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cook, R. A., Karesh, W. B., & Osofsky, S. A. (2004). The Manhattan principles on “ One World, One Health” building interdisciplinary bridges to health in a Globalized world. The Wildlife Conservation Society.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dikmenli, M. (2010). Misconceptions of cell division held by student teachers in biology: A drawing analysis. Scientific Research and Essay, 5, 235–247. https://doi.org/10.5897/SRE.9000654
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Domènech-Casal, J. (2016). Drug research: A contextualised sequence of enquiry into mitosis, cancer and the scientific knowledge’ creation. Investigaci ó n En La Escuela, 88, 93–111. http://dx.doi.org/10.12795/IE.2016.i88.06
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Esquivel-Martín, T., Bravo-Torija, B., & Pérez-Martín, J. M. (2023). Solving a problem about cancer treatment: How does the use of the mitotic spindle model evolve during small group discussions? Journal of Biological Education, 57(3), 469–483. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2021.1924230
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Esquivel-Martín, T., Pérez-Martín, J. M., & Bravo-Torija, B. (2024). Using realistic visual resources to enhance science learning in bilingual contexts. In M. D. Ramírez Verdugo (Ed.), Interdisciplinary research and innovation in bilingual and second language teacher education (pp. 234–270). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003350217-18
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Esquivel-Martín, T., Pérez-Martín, J. M., & Bravo-Torija, B. (2023). Does pollution only affect human health? A scenario for argumentation in the framework of One Health education. Sustainability, 15(8), 6984. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086984
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Esquivel-Martín, T., Pérez-Martín, J. M., & Bravo-Torija, B. (2021). The use of storytelling to promote literacy skills in biology education: An intervention proposal. In M. D. Ramírez-Verdugo & B. Otcu-Grillman (Eds.), Interdisciplinary approaches toward enhancing teacher education (pp. 155–177). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4697-0.ch009
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guevara-Herrero, I., Pérez-Martín, J. M., & Bravo-Torija, B. (2023). Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on educational research in environmental education. Revista Eureka sobre Ense ñ anza y Divulgaci ó n de las Ciencias, 20(2), 2501. https://doi.org/10.25267/Rev_Eureka_ensen_divulg_cienc.2023.v20.i2.2501
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Günther, S. L., Fleige, J., zu Belzen, A. U., & Krüger, D. (2019). Using the case method to foster preservice Biology teachers’ Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge related to models and modeling. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 30, 321–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2018.1560208
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Haxton, E., Lindberg, A., Troell, K., & Redican, K.J. (2015). One Health education meets science. Infection Ecology and Epidemiology, 5, 30264. https://doi.org/10.3402/iee.v5.30264
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Herrero, O., Pérez-Martín, J. M., Fernández-Freire, P., Carvajal López, L., Peropadre, A., & Hazen, M. J. (2012). Toxicological evaluation of three contaminants of emerging concern by use of the Allium cepa test. Mutation Research, 743(1–2), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2011.12.028
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Humboldt-Dachroeden, S. (2023). One Health practices across key agencies in Sweden: Uncovering barriers to cooperation, communication and coordination. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 51, 535–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/14034948211024483
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jaipal, K. (2009). Meaning making through multiple modalities in a biology classroom: A multimodal semiotics discourse analysis. Science Education, 94, 48–72. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20359
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (2005). Participatory action research: Communicative action and the public sphere. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (pp. 559–603). Sage Publications.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lueddeke, G. R., Kaufman, G. E., Kahn, L. H., Krecek, R. C., Willingham, A. L., Stroud, C. M., Lindenmayer, J. M., Kaplan, B., Conti, L. A., Monath, T. P., & Woodall, J. (2016). Preparing society to create the world we need through ‘One Health’ education. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health, 6(1), 1841. https://doi.org/10.4119/seejph-1841
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mackenzie, J.S., & Jeggo, M. (2019). The one health approach – why is it so important? Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 4, 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4020088
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Martínez-Pena, I., Puig, B., & Uskola, A. (2024). Systems thinking (ST) on complex health issues: The application of the One Health (OH) approach. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 23, 723–738. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/24.23.723
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McAlister, M. M., Zhang, Q., Annis, J., Schweitzer, R. W., Guidotti, S., & Mihelcic, J. R. (2022). Systems thinking for effective interventions in global environmental health. Environmental Science & Technology, 56, 732–738. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04110
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mitchell, J., Cooke, P., Ahorlu, C., Arjyal, A., Baral, S., Carter, L., Dasgupta, R., Fieroze, F., Fonseca-Braga, M., Huque, R., Lewycka, S., Kalpana, P., Saxena, D., Tomley, F., Tsekleves, E., Vu Thi Quynh, G., & King, R. (2022). Community engagement: The key to tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across a One Health context? Global Public Health, 17, 2647–2664. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2021.2003839
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mora-Penagos, W. M., & Guerrero-Guevara, N. (2022). Key environmental skills in the teaching activities of science teachers. Tecn é , Episteme y Didaxis, 51, 299–316.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nagy, K., Tessema, R. A., Budnik, L. T., & Ádám, B. (2019). Comparative cyto-and genotoxicity assessment of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in human peripheral white blood cells. Environmental Research, 179, 108851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108851
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
National Research Council. (2013). Next generation science standards: For states, by states. The National Academies Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). PISA 2025 Science Framework (Draft). https://pisa-framework.oecd.org/science-2025/assets/docs/PISA_2025_Science_Framework.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ogunseitan, O. A. (2022). One Health and the environment: From conceptual framework to implementation science. Environment, 64, 11–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2022.2021792
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pérez-Martín, J. M., & Esquivel-Martín, T. (2024). New insights for teaching the One Health approach: Transformative environmental education for sustainability. Sustainability, 16(18), 7967. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187967
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pérez-Martín, J. M., Fernández-Freire, P., Labrador, V., & Hazen, M. J. (2008). Carbamazepine induces mitotic arrest in mammalian Vero cells. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 637(1–2), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2007.07.014
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Punie, Y., & Redecker C. (2017). European framework for the digital competence of educators: DigCompEdu. https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC107466
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rashid, F., Singh, D., Attri, S., Kaur, P., Kaur, H., Mohana, P., Quadar, J., Vig, A. P., Bhatia, A., Singh, B., Walia, H., & Arora, S. (2022). Modulation of atrazine-induced chromosomal aberrations and cyclin-dependent kinases by aqueous extract of Roylea cinerea (D.Don) Baillon leaves in Allium cepa. Scientific Reports, 12, 12570. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16813-z
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reid, A., Dillon, J., Ardoin, N., & Ferreira, J. A. (2021). Scientists’ warnings and the need to reimagine, recreate, and restore environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 27, 783–795. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1937577
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rodríguez, S. G., Fradkin, M., & Castañeda-Sortibrán, A. N. (2018). Conceptions of meiosis: Misunderstandings among university students and errors. Journal of Biological Education, 53, 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2018.1469531
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Roldán-Arcos, S., Pérez Martín, J. M., & Esquivel-Martin, T. (2022). Education for environmental justice: What proposals are being made? Revista Internacional de Educaci ó n para la Justicia Social, 11(2), 11–27. https://doi.org/10.15366/riejs2022.11.2.001.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Russell, W. M. S., & Burch, R. L. (1959). The principles of humane experimental technique. Methuen & Co. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1960.tb73127.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sahani, M. K., Maat, H., Balabanova, D., Woldie, M., Richards, P., & Mayhew, S. (2024). Engaging communities as partners in health crisis response: A realistinformed scoping review for research and policy. Health Research Policy and Systems, 22, 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-024-01139-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sala, A., Punie, Y., Garkov, V., & Cabrera-Giraldez, M. (2020). LifeComp: The European framework for personal, social and learning to learn key competence. https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC120911
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schmeller, D. S., Courchamp, F., & Killeen, G. (2020). Biodiversity loss, emerging pathogens, and human health risks. Biodiversity and Conservation, 29, 3095–3102. Şen, M., Öztekin, C., & Demirdöğen, B. (2018). Impact of content knowledge on pedagogical content knowledge in the context of cell division. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 29, 102–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2018.1425819
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Scott, E. E., Wenderoth, M. P., & Doherty, J. H. (2020). Design-based research: A methodology to extend and enrich biology education research. CBE – Life Sciences Education, 19(2), es11. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.19-11-0245
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shelden, E. A., Offerdahl, E. G., Johnson, G. T. (2019). A virtual laboratory on cell division using a publicly-available image database. CourseSource, 6, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2019.15
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tiberghien, A., Vince, J., & Gaidioz, P. (2009). Design-based research: Case of a teaching sequence on mechanics. International Journal of Science Education, 31, 2275–2314. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690902874894
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tyohemba, R. L., Pillay, L., & Humphries, M. S. (2021). Bioaccumulation of current-use herbicides in fish from a global biodiversity hotspot: Lake St Lucia, South Africa. Chemosphere, 284, 131407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131407
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Walker, C. (2017). Tomorrow’s leaders and today’s agents of change? Children, sustainability education and environmental governance. Children & Society, 31, 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12192
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wilkinson, J. L., Boxall, A. B. A., Kolpin, D. W., Leung, K. M. Y., Lai, R. W. S., GalbánMalagón, C., Adell, A. D., Mondon, J., Metian, M., Marchant, R. A., BouzasMonroy, A., CuniSánchez, A., Coors, A., Carriquiriborde, P., Rojo, M., Gordon, C., Cara, M., Moermond, M., Luarte, T., Petrosyan, V., … Teta, C. (2022). Pharmaceutical pollution of the world’s rivers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A., 119, e2113947119. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2113947119
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
World Health Organization. (2010). The FAO-OIE-WHO collaboration. Sharing responsibilities and coordinating global activities to address health risks at the animal – human – ecosystems interfaces. A tripartite concept note. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/the-fao-oie-who-collaboration
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

A Toolbox for Integrating the One Health Approach Into Biology Teacher Training

Abstract

Paradigm

My account