Conservation research can be key to making effective conservation policies, but only when the policymakers are trained to understand and critically analyse its findings. In this article, Andrea D. Phillott highlights numerous resources that can help educators train students – future conservationists – in the use of evidence-based conservation. Phillott is a Professor in Environmental Studies and teaches Conservation Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Studies at FLAME University, Pune.

An entire kingdom of life forms seems to be hidden in plain sight. The stark ignorance about them does not bode well for the future of life on earth. Some educators and organisations are striving to bring these creatures into focus.

What happens when you expose fruit flies to low temperatures? Like many insects, they go into a chill coma - a sleepy state. Analysing the phenomena of coma recovery could help teach the concepts of rapid evolution, and the impact of climate change on it. How? A team of scientists and educators created a wholesome teaching module of fruit fly experiments using the phenomena of "chill coma recovery".

Starting with a probable questions, followed by hypothesis-building, can lead to a good experiment design where students participate and discuss their own ideas and approaches.