Philippines – Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE) has worldwide accepted as an effective approach in science teaching and learning. The implementation of proper IBSE in class room level will involve a process of exploring the natural or material world, and that leads to asking questions, making discoveries, and rigorously testing those discoveries in the search for new understanding. Considering that IBSE is strategic to enhance the quality of science teaching, Department of Education, Ministry of Education MIMAROPA conducted 1st International Conference in Science Education” under the theme “ Revitalizing, Reinvigorating and Strengthening Science Instruction through Inquiry- Based Science Education, on May 3-5, 2017 which was held in Skylight Convention Center, Puerto Pricessa City, Palawan, the Philippines . The Conference was attended by 652 participants that consist of teachers (dominant participants), superintendents, academic s and alsolocal and provincial education officers. Present in the opening ceremony was the City Mayor of Puerto Princessa, Governor of Palawan.
Deputy Director for Programme, Dr R indarjani had been invited as one of Plenary Speaker to explain the development of IBSE in Southeast Asia nations. In her presentation, she elucidated how IBSE become a center of principle of 21st century curriculum as one of priority areas in SEAMEO Education Agenda 2015-2035. Addressing the unemployment issues which become the regional concerns, she proposed to to integrated STEM principles in science teaching process. STEM Education has closed relationship with project based learning concept that most of teachers already familiar with. Other plenary speakers in this international conference were come from Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Australia and also from University of Philippines.
By being invited as speaker in an international forum will increase the regional visibility of the center. It was a sign of recognition and acknowledgment of the SEAQIS potential and one of indicator of the center achievements.
(SEAMEO Qitep in Science PR Team)
