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Science Education and the Science Society of Thailand Under Patronage of HM The King

Science Education and the Science Society of Thailand Under Patronage of HM The King . M.R. Jisnuson Svasti

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Science Education and the Science Society of Thailand Under Patronage of HM The King

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  1. Science Education and the Science Society of Thailand Under Patronage of HM The King M.R. JisnusonSvasti President, Science Society of Thailand under Patronage of H.M. the King; Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Head, Center of Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandE-mail: scjsv@mahidol.ac.th

  2. Importance of Science and Technology • Science and Technology are important for a country to compete with others • Research creates new products for the global market • Development of national infrastructure • Improving health and quality of life of the population • Basic knowledge of science and understanding basic scientific principles is essential for every day life • Technology and novel products are part of daily life • Science teaches people to think analytically and creatively • Personal integrity is a basic principle in undertaking science

  3. World Publications Thailand is 42nd in World, 7th in Asia and 2nd in ASEAN [from ISI Web of Science Databases Year 2006]

  4. Thailand Has Too Few Researchers so may not benefit much from recent advances in biotechnology & nanotechnology • Shortage of Researchers: Researchers per 10,000 pop. Singapore 60.1, Australia, 54.4, Malaysia 7.0, Thailand 5.4 • Low expenditure on Research & Development as % GDP Singapore 2.36, Australia 1.62, Malaysia 0.63, Thailand 0.26 • Little Interaction between academia and industry • Lack of good career prospects for researchers [Svasti, J. (2001) Bioscience and Its Impact on Developing Countries: a Thai Perspective. EMBO Reports. 2, 648-650]

  5. Need to Train More Scientists and Professional Researchers • Strengthen local graduate programs in science: increase production and maintain quality e.g. RGJ Ph.D. programs • Provide better career path for scientists and researchers • More interaction between academia and industry, including translating academic discoveries into products • Encourage more companies, including multi-nationals, to engage in R&D in Thailand • Make people understand that successful innovation requires good infrastructure & capability in basic research

  6. General Overall in Science fo Everyday Life Programme for International Student Assessment(OECD) PISA tests 2009 show that the competency of 15 year-olds in Thailand ranks at about 45th from 57 countries participating

  7. New Educational Reform in Thailand: what should it aim at? Certainly Not Just Structural & Management Changes But Also • Need to Increase Public Awareness of Science • Public need to have basic knowledge of science for daily life • Science helps to develop logical, coherent and creative thinking • Need to Improve the Quality of Science Teaching at Schools • Training of current teachers to be competent in science subjects • Produce more teachers properly trained in science • Improve the esteem of the teaching profession • Need to Improve Learning Process for Students • Place importance on student activities • Encourage thinking rather than just memorization • Make science enjoyable, so more students study science

  8. Science Society of Thailandunder Patronage of H.M. The King • Informally started 1924; Officially registered on 27 January 1948 • Currently has 4,500 members (3,200 Life Members, 300 Ordinary Members, 230 Corporate Members, 70 Students, 600 Young Scientists) • Located at the Faculty Club, Faculty of Science, ChulalongkornUniv • Founded Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology Under Patronage of HM The King • Co-founded Thai Academy of Science & Technology (AASA member) • Founded "The Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation under The Patronage of H.R.H Princess GalyaniVadhanaKromLuangNaradhiwasRajanagarindra” • 6 Academic Sections, 3 Regional Branches

  9. Major Activitiesof the Science Society of Thailand • Major Areas of Activities • Promoting Public Awareness of Science • Student and Teacher Activities • Promoting Research and Excellence • Cooperation & support of Government and Private sector: • Public: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, and agencies affiliated with these ministries • Private: Siam Cement Group, Esso, Petroleum Company of Thailand • Volunteers from Universities and Schools • Council of the Science Faculties of Thai Universities • Inidividual Teachers from Universities and Schools

  10. Promoting Public Awareness of Science through initiating National Science Day • 1968: Initiation of King Mongkut’s Science Park at Wagor in memory of the centennial of his prediction of Solar Eclipse • 1982: Proclamation of King Mongkut (Rama IV) as the Father of Thai Science & August 18th as National Science Day.

  11. Promoting Public Awareness (2) National Science Week Fair first organized during 18-24 August 1982, now organised by National Science Museum over a million visitors • Science Magazine, popular bimonthly • Radio Program “Life and Science” Science Writers Section • President, Science Society of Thailand is also ex-officio Board Member of National Science Museum

  12. Student Activities National Science Week (since 2527) • Six Regional Centers throughout Thailand • Student Project Competitions (Science Projects, Thailand Innovation Awards) • Other Student Competitions (Creative Works in Science, Science Show, Problem Solving) Young Scientist Clubs • 11 Subjects: e.g. chemistry, botany, astronomy Science Camps • Rama IV Science Camp at Wagor • “Environment” & “Science Communication” Camps • Thai Science Camp

  13. Teachers Training Courses [1998-2007] • Collaboration: Basic Education Commission, Science Deans Council, Institute for Promotion of Science, with Science Society of Thailand as coordinator • Training Courses: Upper Secondary School Teachers • Objectives: to provide scientific content, how to search for information and create new knowledge • Subject areas: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environment (later Earth Sciences) • Course Levels (Participants): Elementary (10,100), Intermediate (3,933), Advanced (694): more practical training at higher levels up to research at Advanced • Testing: Pre-test av. score = 30%; Post-test av. score 60%; Grades: Pass/Good/Very Good; Overall pass = 90% New 800 Million Baht Plan to Train 30,000 Teachers in Two Years, as Government Loan to improve Teacher Education

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