SEAQIS has been collaborated with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) in conducting training course on Science Technology Education Leveraging Relevance – Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STELR – STEM) Education since 2015, and this year the partnership is continued by convening the Training on STELR – STEM: Climate Change, Sustainability, and Water Education from 30 September to 4 October 2019 in Ardan Hotel, Bandung. The training was attended by 39 participants consisting of 29 participants from Indonesia and 10 participants from other SEAMEO member countries; 2 participants from Brunei Darussalam, 3 participants from Malaysia and 1 participant each from Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.
The training was officially opened by Dr Indrawati, the Director of SEAQIS. The opening ceremony was also attended by Ms Lili Indarti, the Deputy Director for Administration of SEAQIS, Mr Mei Suryawan, the President Director of PT Kaltim Nitrate Indonesia, and the resource persons. The resource persons were Mr Peter Pentland from ATSE, Dr Greg Smith from Charles Darwin University, Dr Cony Cirkony from Monash University, Ms Simone Blom from Southern Cross University, and Mr Wes Leedham from Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre.
The training was initiated by the introduction about STELR delivered by Peter Pentland. In his presentation, he explained the programme as well as all the equipment and materials used during the programme. During the training, the method of delivery focused on hands-on experiential learning. The topics were discussed including energy, climate change and ocean, water in the 21st Century, sustainable housing and sustainability, sound and hearing, and Mathematics. Besides, the facilitators had also the participants to practice STEM activities without the STELR kits. There was also a video presentation from Prof Shabaz Khan, the Director of UNESCO of Asia Pacific Region. Prof Shabaz Khan actually supposed to present a topic on Water Education, but unfortunately, he was not able to deliver it in person. During the programme, the participants were also taken to Saung Angklung Udjo for the cultural visit programme. They were introduced to Indonesian culture particularly the Sundanese culture.
At the end of the training, the participants were asked to arrange the action plan to disseminate the knowledge and skills they gained during the training. They also filled the evaluation in which the result shows that the majority of participants considered the training was useful and benefits.
