Si Sa Ket school gets results with STEM teaching approach

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Si Sa Ket school gets results with STEM teaching approach
The Nation


Children are taught using an experimental new educational approach at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) centre in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket.

BANGKOK: -- A Si Sa Ket school, which has been doubling as a STEM education centre since 2011, has been delivering impressive results.

The STEM centre, which integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in teaching activities, was set up at Sadhum School with support from the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST).

Since then, the school has been applying STEM teaching techniques in primary school. Under the STEM teaching standard, a simple mathematics class can turn into a project in which children are thought to calculate weight, count coins and compare different types of materials. The youngsters are also given challenges such as creating a tool from available materials that will help keep a toy afloat in water - a lesson that aims to hone children's problem-solving skills.

"We asked IPST to help train our staff after realising that the IPST teaching approach delivered tangible results," Manit Sittisorn, an adviser for the Office of the Educational Service Area 4 in Si Sa Ket, said.

Manit said he had worked closely with IPST in 2009 to develop the curriculum and evaluation method for primary students. "There has been a significant development in children since we adopted the IPST techniques," he said, adding that his team was inspired to promote the approach further.

"Since we hope more teachers would acquire such skills, we decided to turn Sadhum School into a STEM centre for primary students," he said.

Once the plan was unveiled, various stakeholders, such as parents, local communities and local administrative bodies, stepped in to help.

"We have Bt1.5 million for the centre's construction," Samrong Bampen, municipal clerk for tambon Pho Krasag, said.

The STEM centre now provides training to teachers from different schools.

"I am confident that young children can engage in scientific experiments too," teacher Kanchana Photisarn said.


-- The Nation 2013-10-21

[JoeThePoster]

Excellent.

[davetrout]

well done

[harrry]

The kids may even manage to teach the teachers something.

[Local Drunk]

I hope it teaches them to think for themselves. Looks promising...

[jaltsc]

"The STEM Center integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math teaching activities..."

This is a positive step forward in technical education, and should be encouraged in all schools. However, it does not teach critical thinking. Therefore the students are taught what to think and not how to think. Although this will provide students who are better equipped to work in today's technical world, it will do very little to provide those leaders necessary to promote the vital social changes necessary to help the poor and disenfranchised.

We see the results of this type of education around the world where the 'educated' care only that they are making a good living and are profiting financially. Even in America, considered to be the richest country in the world, the poor and homeless continue to grow in numbers.The U.S. government just closed down and the only ones who cared were those who were affected financially. Those still able to draw their paychecks ignored the incident.

The problem of the future is not that there will be to few students who go on to be successful in today's world economy. The problem is that there will be a bigger gap between the haves and have-nots.

[yourauntbob]

nice to see them willing to try something new. i hope this starts a trend.

[BudRight]

These kids are in pre-school! Hahahahahaha!!!!!

[Furbie]

"The STEM Center integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math teaching activities..."

This is a positive step forward in technical education, and should be encouraged in all schools. However, it does not teach critical thinking. Therefore the students are taught what to think and not how to think. Although this will provide students who are better equipped to work in today's technical world, it will do very little to provide those leaders necessary to promote the vital social changes necessary to help the poor and disenfranchised.

We see the results of this type of education around the world where the 'educated' care only that they are making a good living and are profiting financially. Even in America, considered to be the richest country in the world, the poor and homeless continue to grow in numbers.The U.S. government just closed down and the only ones who cared were those who were affected financially. Those still able to draw their paychecks ignored the incident.

The problem of the future is not that there will be to few students who go on to be successful in today's world economy. The problem is that there will be a bigger gap between the haves and have-nots.

Actually, your assesment on what they are doing is incorrect. IPST uses and promotes an inquiry-based methodology specifically designed to promote critical thinking skills in students. Though STEM, in this context is a bit of an over statement, as they are not teaching these kids engineering and technology, they are focusing on science with some math. IPST, Teachers College at Columbia University, Kenan Institute Asia, MSD Thailand and a number of other companies have being working to promote this in a number of provinces with a focus on teaching teachers how to teach using the inquiry-based methodology - STEM is the subject matter, inquiry-based is the methodology, the article just does not mention it.

[maengda]

This is great. Only 1.5 mil for construction? Why cant they get more funding? Could apply it to neighboring provinces.

Edited October 21, 2013 by maengda

[Local Drunk]

These kids are in pre-school! Hahahahahaha!!!!!

That's the best place to start.

[BudRight]

*catching my breath*

They would be far better served cultivating a curiosity about the natural world then bored to death counting coins or doing 'engineering' assignments. It is that curiosity that motivates the human mind to learn, not being dogmatically told they need to learn 'science.'

Edited October 21, 2013 by BudRight

[bangon04]

"challenges such as creating a tool from available materials that will help keep a toy afloat in water - a lesson that aims to hone children's problem-solving skills."

They will graduate to problems like how to operate a submarine in shallow water, how to get the best use of an aircraft carrier without leaving the port, and also how to use a small propeller to move huge amounts of water along a giant river bed.

[expat888]

Thai student love projects. It is borderline play time. Meant to be constructive, but more like play time for them. Whatever works.

[FangFerang]

There is a pedagogy for teaching ESL that is similar, and called task-based learning. It has been shown to be effective in learners processing information rather than memorizing it. (Curiously, learners were students before and next week might be 'facilitees').

I use task-based learning as often as I can in my classrooms, but unfortunately spend most of my time making them fill in their Health and English books.

[SjaakNL2013]

I am glad to see that there is some change. There are many ways to teach and learn. The results of those different educational systems should be studied. Many schools are still working with ethnics from the 50 of the last century. But as long as the MOE promote Thailand as the education HUB of Asia there is something good wrong.

Last on congress see a bunch of new teachers. Many where all ready indoctrinate with the Thai way of thinking. We know all better. With teachers as this the way to change the educational system is doomed to fail.

Luckily this school is a exception. They have the guts to change, to experiment. Good work.

[IsaanAndy]

Great to see this happening but I rather doubt it will be expanded across the country as the resistance to change from within the current teaching establishment to protect their vested interest in the status quo is just to entrenched.