SEAMEO QITEP in Science and TOTAL E&P Indonesie Accomplished The Fresh Graduates Participation in Science Collaboration Program

The collaboration program between SEAMEO QITEP in Science and TOTAL E&P Indonesie came to an end on 30 April 2013. The program was based on an aggreement signed in September 2013 by Director of SEAMEO QITEP in Science, Prof Ismunandar, and Social and Head Division of Sustainable Development & Societal Relations of TOTAL E&P Indonesie, Kusuma Adinugroho. The Fresh Graduates Participation in Science (FGPS) program is one of the flagship programs which is targeted on teachers as the spearhead in the educational process to improve their competencies, by placing young scientists as teachers’ companion and promotor for inquiry-based science learning. This FGPS Program conducted in Kutai Kartanegara district, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia
The program started by the selection to get five fresh graduates of science and science education which would be involved as young scientists . They participated in the preparation training before their departures, then they executed the well-set implementation in target location for six months (November 2012 – April 2013). The implementation was initiated by a one day workshop to introduce about inquiry-based science learning, which followed by elementary school teachers in the sub-district of Anggana. The five selected young scientists from Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia University of Education and Mulawarman University were placed in SDN 014 Tani baru, SDN 015 Muara Pantuan, and SDN 016 Sepatin. The three target schools were in the remote area of sub-district Anggana, Kutai Kartanegara, which could only be reached through a 1-3 hours trip by boat along the Mahakam River.
To strenghten teachers’ understanding and to invigorate them the spirit in order to implement and socialize the inquiry learning model in sorround of targeted villages, SKK Migas and Education and Cultural Office of District Kutai Kertanegara participated in the Training on Inquiry-Based Science Learning for elementary school teachers in 3 sub district (Anggana, Samboja and Muara Jawa) on 2 – 5 April 2013. In this training, the young scientist took part as the facilitators and SEAMEO QITEP in Science provided training materials and guidance while TOTAL E&P Indonesie ensured the accomodation of participants and facilities required during the training.
The final of the program was marked by a touchy farewell party conducted in SDN 014 Tani Baru. Based on the interview to participants and local and national medias, the overall of the program was so successful to gives new perception and spirit for teachers to teach with inquiry models. This is one of good steps to improve science education for the better quality of life.