ICSU-ROLACWorkshop of Focal Points in Latin

America and The CaribbeanMarch 9 – 10, 2015

The Caribbean Academy of Sciences

Science Teachers’ Training

Workshopsin

The Caribbean

The Caribbean – a Development Laboratory

• In the Caribbean region, except for the careers in medicine and engineering, science education has not been attracting crowds.

Declining enrollments in faculties of natural sciences, agriculture, biotechnology and in science education programmes have been noted.

At the Caribbean Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in October 2005,

CAS concluded that science education will be a major activity of The Academy…. CAS has been actively participating in the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) Science Education Programme.

Historically, two (2) pedagogical approaches in science teaching can be contrasted. The first, traditionally used at schools, is the “Deductive Approach”. The second has long been referred to as the “Inductive Approach”…•Today this Inductive Approach is most often referred to as Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE)… •Increasingly experimentation has shown that inquiry-based methods provide the means to increase interest in science.

• In responding to the current near crisis in science education in the region, the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) in collaboration with the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) hosted a Science Education Workshop on ISBE Methods for Primary School Teachers in October, 2008 ….

• Follow up workshops were held….

Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE)Objectives of IBSE Workshops•Training of Trainers in IBSE – persons attending these workshops can serve as trainers in their respective territories•Development of outline curricula in order to promote IBSE•Some focus on Assessment Methods

• Objectives cont’d.

• Expose Teachers to Science Curriculum Development

• Identify some local issues that primary school teachers face in sustainable development, climate change and hazard mitigation activities in science education and the teaching of ISBE methodologies

As follow up to the ISBE Methods Workshop in Grenada, The Country of Guyana commenced a series of similar training workshops for teachers. Teacher Training Workshops increased from twelve (12) in 2009 to forty one (41) in 2014. Funding support from Exon Mobil was obtained in collaboration with Youth Challenge Guyana….

Science Teachers’ Training WorkshopsInquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE)

Teacher Training in Climate Change using the IBSE methodology

Global Micro-Science Experiments Project (GMSEP)

Another approach in science education used by UNESCO is its Global Micro-Science Experiments Project which provides developed and developing countries alike with new teaching tools….

Global Micro-Science Experiments Project (GMSEP)

The project thus contributes to capacity building, in areas where limited/no laboratory facilities are available. The experimental techniques that can be covered on a micro-scale include everything from separating the components of mixtures to measuring rates of reactions between chemicals.

Global Micro-Science Experiments Project (GMSEP)

Micro-science teachers’ and students’ manuals can be developed to accompany the kits for biology, chemistry and physics. •These kits can be used with the IBSE methodology.

Global Micro-Science Experiments Project (GMSEP)

The Global Micro-science Programme was launched by UNESCO and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in 1996. The micro-science approach has been introduced into over 80 countries, many of them in Africa.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-Science

As the World embraces a low carbon development pathway, the role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) education will become the catalyst for national sustainable development.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-ScienceCollaborative Ventures1)A joint workshop run by CAS in collaboration with the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) for Eastern Caribbean Primary School Teachers was held in St. Vincent & Grenadines in January 2015.(

•“The aims of this new joint venture in primary science education were to: •(1) have teachers expand their understanding of the nature of science, science education and how students learn science; •2) identify strategies, resources and activities for Inquiry and STEM-based science teaching and; •(3) increase the confidence of teachers in their planning, teaching and assessing of inquiry based approaches”.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-Science2) Robotic TrainingThis is targeted to STEM teachers. This could also be a series of regional joint workshops in collaboration with a suitable collaborator.

•Goals of Robotic Training:•To enhance teachers’ skills in design, construction and execution of problem solving activities, based on Robotic Tool Kits that will increase student interest in STEM subjects.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-ScienceGoals of Robotic Training – Cont’d.•To identify and review links between Curricula, Robotics and National/Regional development goals.•To empower and encourage student volunteers to support teachers in deploying robotics activities in schools.•To promote dialogue and community building among regional educators engaging in similar initiatives.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-Science3) Incorporation of IBSE & Micro-Science Training in Schools.A proposal to incorporate IBSE and UNESCO’s Global Micro-science for primary and secondary schools will involve the following: •Capacity building for teachers at the primary and secondary levels.•Implementation of country pilots in at least 5 countries.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-ScienceIncorporation of IBSE & Micro-Science Training in Schools – Cont’d.Project Objectives:•To strengthen science education in the selected countries•To strengthen the institutional capacities of curriculum units in Ministries of Education

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-ScienceProject Objectives – Cont’d.•To enhance science, technology and innovation at primary and secondary levels•To promote capacity building for science education and enhance development of scientific thinking and experimentation for students in the selected countries•To expose students to more experimental skills.

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-ScienceProject Objectives – Cont’d•To increase the interest in young people in science so as to promote gender equality, scientific literacy and the choice of a scientific career•The provision of resources for the School Based Assessment (SBA) component for the sciences in secondary schools

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-Science4) Establishment of STEM teacher networks to share best practices in IBSE•To strengthen climate change education for sustainable development within schools•Support capacity building through training workshops on climate change, disaster risk reduction and education for sustainable development

STEM Education/IBSE/Micro-Science

• Develop IBSE lessons linked to climate change education. Incorporate sandwich programmes as part of capacity building.

• Networks of teachers need to be established so that the teachers can assist one another in the drive for excellence in teacher training.

Science Teachers’ Training Workshops

MUCHAS GRACIAS!