Role of Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM) in Science Education

1. Role of Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM) in Science Education Khalijah Mo hd Salleh Fellow ASM (Centre of Applied Physics

2. ASM & Education • The general statement in one of the ASM Function • to encourage education and training of human resources in the appropriate scientific, engineering and technical fields. • education in the formal sense

3. Two other functions of ASMrelated ot education • i) the promotion of national awareness, understanding and appreciation of the role of SET in human progress and • ii) the promotion of creativity among scientists, engineers and technologists. • underpinning philosophy of education the technical competency of the workforce and the socio-cultural benefits

4. Science education - not just a one stop for selected individuals or groups of people. • Science Education committee • concerned with education and training of human resources • to inculcate values and shape the mind and attitude of scientists and society.

5. Science Education Committee • started as sub working Committee in 1996 • promoted to a working committee in 1998. • The chairman of the committee is nominated by the council while the other members may be non-fellows of ASM.

6. Planning for educational activities or projects • use the Malaysia Development Plan as a guide. • ASM keeps up with national needs and can therefore contribute meaningfully to meet the needs of the country and society.

11. Co-organizers • The primary co-organisers are the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment/Innovation, Centre for Curriculum Development, government agencies, national Science Centre, PETROSAINS, S & T Associations, local and international universities and research institutes IMR, MINT and SIRIM.

12. Other organisers • Industries like Dumex, Novozymes • foreign agencies: British Council, French Embassy, Indian High Commision, JICA • International Organisations International Council for Science (ICSU) • International Council of Associations for Science Education, • INTEL, and International Science Academies

13. Impact of Science Education Programmes Advisory to the Government

14. the international conference on science and mathematics education for primary and secondary schools • In 2001 theme: Science And Mathematics Education For Human Development - Responding To The Challenges Of K-Economy. • In 2003 focus on science capacity building. Theme: innovative teaching and learning methods. • In 2004 creativity and innovation in education.

15. Annual National Science Quiz • First quiz 1983-1999 for high school students • managed jointly by MRB, MOSTI, MOE & Professional Science Associations • Starting 2000 -2005 management by ASM • Through the kindness of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the winners of the invited to Stockholm for the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony on Dec 10 each year • So far 8 schools had attended the ceremony.

16. Curriculum • La Main A La Pate is a French science education programme at primary level. • first introduced to Malaysia in October 2001 by the MOE of Malaysia after he visited France. • Programme was formally introduced to Malaysian science educators in January 2002. • A pilot project started in May 2003 in 10 selected schools around the Klang. • evident differences between regular Malaysian classroom sessions was conducted and that promoted through La Main A La Pate.

17. Laureate Outreach Program • National Nobel Laureate Program started by MOSTI in the year 2001. • Aim to stimulate creativity and innovation and to instil a research culture among the younger generation. • ASM’s effort to ensure sufficient supply of scientists, technologists and engineers who contribute to the development of the nation’s science, technology and innovation for the benefit of humankind.

18. First Nobel Outreach Program May 2006 in Terengganu. • Four modules : creative, instruction, reasearch and social modules • 70 students from 23 schools in Terengganu participated in the program. • Outcome objectives • able to understand fundamentals of conducting scientific research, importance of information management, utilization of resources, teamwork as well as applying creative thinking skills among others. • Participants introduced to eminent Malaysian Scientists such as the ASM Senior Fellows and Fellows as well as university lecturers and researchers. • Climax : students conducted own research projects on competitive basis.

19. SMEX04 • ASM, MOE, MOSTI “Creativity in Science and Mathematics Education Expo (SMEX04)’ June 2004 PWTC, KL • Objective: to create an awareness and generate interest in science and mathematic. to expose new ideas for R & D. • Content of Exhibits: Science Theatre, Interactive Science Workshops, Inter-School MathMagic Competition, Memory Sports, Science and Mathematics Quiz and product demonstrations. • ‘Innovative Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning 2004’ competition was the highlight • > 100 participants representing various industries such as academics, government agencies, IT solutions, research and development, private laboratories and telecommunication.

20. ESTIDOTMY • First published in February 2002 tabloid form, magazine form, now in CD ROM • Newspaper insert in Utusan Melayu, a newspaper daily, • Primary objective to inculcate interest in S & T among school children • 12 topics covered: Biotechnology, Engineering, Automotif, outer space, the earth, biodiversity, remote sensing, environment, structure, health, agriculture, weather/hazards, • Content • Articles written are simple and interesting • Experiments and puzzles are also presented. • The magazine can be used as reference materials.

21. A survey on ESTIDOTMY • June-July 2002 and 2003 • 1200 respondents • Objective: to determine public awareness and acceptance of the magazine • secondary schools readers • 2202 - 69 % • 2003 - 79 %

22. Science Education Portal • Effort to develop the portal first mooted and included in the 9th Malaysia Plan. • The main objective - to promote and science education. • ASM portal structure and mechanism.had been developed • The content of the portal will be heavy on science education. • Current stage of development - deployed in-house for testing • To be launched for public access, hopefully within this year

23. Science Education Research • Question of standards in the teaching of science, professional development of teachers, assessment, curriculum content, IT application of S & T, science educaiton programs, and science education systems. • Through FASAS, project on Science Education with Enlightenment. • Objectives of this project is to search for the best practices of the teaching of science/physics among secondary school children. • Report on early findings of the study to be presented in this seminar.

24. The Future • ASM recognizes science education as a key strategy to successful implementation of any development plan in the country. • focuse of the 9th Malaysia Plan - human capital. • enhance quality of S & T education, • develop and generate competent human resources imbibed with positive values and able to face the challenges of globalisation. • produce S & T educators who are innovative and creative and are able to effectively train the younger generation. • encourage informal learning through learning stations, intellectual discourse and interaction between scientists, teachers and students.

25. Conclusion • ASM has played a significant role in science education. • ASM had played a thinking and advisory role to relevant agencies in particular the Ministry of Educaiton. • Facilitator and caltayst in promoting science science through general awareness program seminar, and publications • ASM concerned with the formal and informal education of science hence to promote science do in informal ways • ASM sc ed program to include impact studies. • to discover new ideas needed to ensure future programs to be relevant, intersting and exciting.

26. References Thank you