Bridging the gap: cultivating a life science mindset from early education to fuel the bioeconomy

The global strategic transition towards a bioeconomy is markedly at odds with the marginalization of biology within secondary education curricula. This misalignment in policy results in a significant workforce gap that jeopardizes international competitiveness. This paper advocates for the development of a foundational "life science mindset," which includes systems thinking, scalar reasoning, and bioinspired innovation, beginning in early education. By analyzing international models and proposing a comprehensive implementation strategy, we illustrate that promoting this mindset through policy reform, pedagogical innovation, and ecosystem partnerships is not simply an enhancement of education but an essential prerequisite for sustaining bioinnovation and ensuring future economic resilience.