Capacity Building Workshop on "Training of Master Trainers on Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE)" 5-9 September, Islamabad- Pakistan

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Science is critical to help meet the challenges for sustainable development as it lays the foundation for new approaches, solutions and technologies to identify, clarify and tackle global challenges for the future. Science provides answers that are testable and reproducible, and thus provide the basis for conclusive decision-making processes and effective impact assessments. Thus a good foundation in science among students serves as the basis for scientific literacy, promotes better understanding of the environment and the world as well as the preparation of future scientists and technocrats.

Critical thinking that comes with science education is vital in training the mind, understanding the world, making choices and solving problems. The concept of "inquiry" fosters the understanding of technological innovations, which need to be inculcated among children at primary & secondary school levels. Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach is used for teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at schools with the objective to instill the willingness of children to explore new ideas through evidence and logic. IBSE develops understanding of different science concepts through children's own physical and mental activity making use of their own skills of observation, questions, planning and conducting investigations, reviewing evidence, drawing conclusions, communicating and discussing results. Therefore, IBSE approach is a critical and essential step to ensure sustainable supply of young talent for linking advance research with sustainable industrial and economic development.

Many developing countries including Pakistan are facing with basic issues in science education such as the shortage of qualified science teachers, lack of facilities including laboratories and equipment and poor methods of delivery in the teaching of this subject which tend to be teacher centred and prescriptive thus leaving little opportunity for children for investigation and discovery leading to disinterest in the subject. Concerned with these problems several countries have now embarked on efforts at the renewal of teaching science as early as at the preschool level.

Therefore, there is dire need for capacity building of education professionals (teachers) to use IBSE pedagogy for teaching science wherein children are led to discover and learn science spontaneously and naturally, as they construct knowledge using materials and equipment familiar to them and to exposed them to situations that arouse their curiosity towards natural phenomena, stimulating them to ask questions and discover the answers as they move through the process of scientific investigations.

The workshop is devoted to the concepts of  IBSE with hands-on/minds-on activities and global scenario of IBSE implementation and contributions to science and technology development around the globe, review the status and methods of science teaching in ECO member states; and finally a round table discussions on the way forward. The constructive deliberations and discussions to culminate the recommendations and outcomes adopted by the participants of the workshop.

OBJECTIVES

• Awareness of the philosophy and ten principles of La main à la pâte;
• Experience the process of inquiry-based science teaching and learning through various La main à la pâte lesson exemplars and activities;
• Gain insights into activities that not only can encourage and motivate students in science through the hands-on activities but convince decision makers to pursue La main à la pâte for education;
• Develop a National Network of IBSE for disseminating and sharing of experiences on La main à la pâte with colleagues and teachers in Pakistan.
• Define the roles of trainers and resource persons in operationalzing La main à la pâte in classrooms; and
• Liaise and feedback on the developments, with ECOSF and PSF joint programmes

OUTCOMES

Capacity Building Workshop on "Training of Master Trainers on Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE)" would build the capacity of participants to recognize the philosophy of IBSE pedagogy for teaching of STEM subjects; experience the process of inquiry-based science teaching and learning, problem solving skills through hands-on, minds-on  activities; gain insights into activities that not only can encourage and motivate students in science through the hands-on, minds-on activities but also convince decision makers to pursue Inquiry based approach for education; and decide on strategic steps for implementation of IBSE – based  STEM in the ECO member countries and particularly Pakistan.

MODE OF DELIVERY

The training workshop will be delivered by using the combinations of the following methods: 

Series of lectures, group activities, discussions and presentations.

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

The training workshop will be conducted in English.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Suitable and passionate trainers/ teachers (Master Trainers) from Education Directorates, Schools and Teacher Training Institutes etc.

DURATION AND VENUE

The training workshop will be held over 5 days in Islamabad, Pakistan from 5-9 September 2016 at Auditorium of Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad- Pakistan

SECRETARIAT & ENQUIRIES

Ghulam Abbas Rahar, Assistant Director (Admin & Programs)

ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF)

Phone#  +92 51 921 5496,

Fax#       +92 51 921 5497

Email: registry.ecosf@eco4science.org/ abbas.ecosf@eco4science.org

ORGANIZERS

• ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF)
• La main à la pâte (LAMAP)
• Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF)