The improved conditions following the COVID-19 pandemic have facilitated the return to normalcy of various activities. From 22 to 24 August 2023, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, SEAQIS held an In-Country Training session in the Philippines. The training took place at Sampaguita Hall, Tarlac City School Division Office, Binauganan, Tarlac City, Philippines. A total of 29 selected secondary school teachers participated in this training.
The opening ceremony was led by Sir Jessie Aquino, Principal I. During the opening ceremony, Dr Aiisa C. Corpuz, the Education Programme Supervisor in Science, delivered a welcoming speech. She stated that this training presented a valuable opportunity for Tarlac City teachers to gain new knowledge and insights in STEM learning. She also asked for commitment from all participants to complete the training and apply its results in their respective schools. The training was officially inaugurated by Dr Robert E. Osongco, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division. He expressed his gratitude to the SEAQIS team for the opportunity to collaborate in enhancing the professionalism of Tarlac City teachers.
During these three-day training, the participants received material from Ms Lintang Ratri Prastika and Mr Lukman Nulhakim about STEM learning, which is usually conveyed to the teachers in Indonesia. This training also aims to upscale the dissemination of SEAQIS’ research findings on STEM learning to teachers in the Southeast Asian region. The participants showed great enthusiasm in listening to, following, and carrying out training activities. These activities included practicing the Engineering Design Process flow, identifying science topics suitable for STEM learning, developing STEM learning designs using project-based learning models, and composing test questions based on STEM learning indicators.
At the end of the training, participants were asked to fill out an action plan. It is hoped that the participants will be able to develop a STEM lesson plan, implement it in their respective classes, and share it with their colleagues at school and in the surrounding science teacher community.
