The Fresh Graduate Participation in Science program (FGPS) was developed by QITEP in Science in collaboration with Total E & P Indonesie (the world’s fifth largest publicly-traded international oil and gas company). FGPS trains and supports fresh graduate scientists to assist elementary and lower secondary school science teachers in the district of Anggana, Kutai Kertanegara regency, East Kalimantan province, with Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE).
The second batch of FGPS ended on May 31 2014. The graduates were from Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakarta. QITEP in Science Deputy for Program, Dr Indarjani and Head of Partnership and Marketing Division, Mrs Atik Rahmawati, recently travelled to Tani Baru village, one of the are as covered by the program, to conduct the final evaluation and to attend meeting with the Total’s representatives. Arrived at the site, SDN 014 Anggana Tani Baru, the team from QiS, young scientists, and TOTAL were welcomed by the warm hospitality from Mr. Darta the school principle of SDN 014 Anggana and Mrs. Indri the school principle of SMPN 4 and all their teachers and students. The welcoming ceremony was quite a festal by the performances from students such as; dances. songs, and music from pianica instrument.
After the evaluation the QITEP in Science staff reported that the program was extremely beneficial to the remote schools of East Kalimantan. The young scientists effectively introduced and encouraged the inquiry approach, and also taught important ICT skills such as sending emails and making Power Point presentations. It was not only the host schools that got the benefit of their presence, but also all the schools at Anggana district were given trainings on inquiry-based science learning as well as the conduct of ‘Creative and Smart in Science’ that involved 90 participants representing 15 schools. Perhaps the greatest indicator of FGPS’ success, however, were the enthusiastic requests from school principals and teachers that the program be continued.
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