Science Colloquium- “Science in and out
of the Classroom”
5-7 September 2007
The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) in collaboration with the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and the Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME) is hosting a 3 day International Science Colloquium on the theme “How Curriculum and Assessment can address the gap between Science in and out of the Classroom”. The Colloquium will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Bell Village, from 5 to 7 September 2007.
The Science Colloquium will address the numerous questions being raised on how Science is being taught and assessed both within and outside the classroom. Science forms an integral part of our daily life but the teaching of Science tends to be too academic and content oriented. It is important for teachers and students to reconcile the Science taught in the classroom with the Science they experience in their environment. The Colloquium will bring together educators and stakeholders from around the world to debate key questions and share their experience.
Presentations will highlight best practice around the globe in successfully engaging Science learners. They will touch different facets of Science education through talks and discussions which will focus on these key themes:
1. Reform of examinations and assessment for promoting uptake of Science.
2. Sharing experience of Science education globally.
3. Future trends.
Some of the papers that will be presented are:
1. The implementation of upper primary science curriculum in Negara Brunei Darussalam
2. Curriculum and assessment reform in science in Cambridge
3. Using ICT to inspire Science
4. Science in Singapore
5. The role of Science camp in Science and Technology education in Brunei Darussalam.
6. Microscale Science.
There will be about 70 participants, foreign and local and also a representative from Rodrigues. There will be representatives from the following institutions:
The Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, The University of Cambridge International Examinations- UK, RADMASTE and Edulab-South Africa, The Ministry of Education-Brunei, The Ministry of Education Botswana, Perse School-UK, The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board as well as participants from Hong Kong, Kenya, Antigua, Malaysia, Lesotho, Trinidad and Tobago, Oman, Turks & Caicos Island. There will also be some 50 local participants from institutions which are at the forefront of the Education Sector with representatives from the University of Mauritius (UoM), the University of Technology of Mauritius (UTM), the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), The Mauritius Research Council (MRC), The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), the NCCRD and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre.
Programme for Science Colloquium
5-7 September 2007
Day 1: Wednesday, 5th
September 2007
Key theme: Reform of Examinations and Assessment
for Promoting Uptake of
|
Time |
Activities/Presentations |
|
09 15 – 10 15 |
Opening Ceremony and CIE Award to Best Science
Teacher |
|
10 45 – 11 30 |
The Research Perspective on Science in the UK – What
Lessons have we learnt on Assessment in Science? Dr M Haigh Research Officer, Assessment and Research Division, Cambridge
Assessment |
|
11 30 – 12 00 |
The Implementation of Upper Primary
Science Curriculum in Negara Brunei Darussalam Mr Y Zulkifli, Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam |
|
12 00 – 12 30 |
Science and
Technology in a Small Developing State: The case of Mauritius Dr A Suddhoo, Director, Mauritius Research council |
|
13 30 – 14 00 |
School Based Assessment in the Sciences: Some Problems and Challenges
Mr
M Kesamang, Ministry
of Education, Botswana |
|
14 00 – 14 30 |
New initiatives in the Teaching and Learning of Science - A Pragmatic
Approach Dr Y Ramma, Associate Professor, Mauritius Institute of
Education |
|
16 00 – 16 30 |
Curriculum and assessment reform in Science in Cambridge Dr
R Nelms Biology
Product Manager, Cambridge International Examinations, UK |
|
16 30 – 17 00 |
Group Discussion
and Close – Science
for study or citizenship? |
Day 2: Thursday,
6th September 2007
Key theme: Sharing Experience of Science Education
Globally
Time
|
Activities/Presentations |
|
09 00 – 09 45 |
Using ICT to Inspire Science Mr C Ingram, Head of Physics, Perse School UK |
|
09 45 – 10 15 |
ICT
for Teaching and Learning of Science in Mauritius Mrs S Ramlagun, Education Officer, Belle Rose State
Secondary School |
|
10 45 – 11 15 |
Science in Singapore Miss P H
Tan, Singapore Examinations and
Assessment Board (SEAB) |
|
11 15 – 11 45 |
The Role of Science Camp in Science and Technology Education in
Brunei Darussalam Miss Dayangku Hajah Siti F P H. Petra, Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam |
|
11 45 – 12 30 |
Setting up Enquiry for Lifelong Learning - Connections between Pedagogy, Learning and Assessment
in Primary Science Mr P Warrick, Faculty of Education Cambridge, UK |
|
13 30– 14 00 |
Microscale Science Mr B Akoobhai, RADMASTE and EduLab, South Africa |
|
14 00 – 14 30 |
Microscale Science Hands-on session Mr B Akoobhai, RADMASTE and EduLab, South Africa |
|
16 00 – 16 30 |
The Science Room Project: Enhancing the teaching and
learning of ‘hands-on’ science in primary schools of Mauritius Mrs M Krumtally, Primary School Inspector and
Mrs P V Ramjeawan, Research Officer, Mauritius
Research Council |
|
16 30-17 00 |
Linking the Practice of Inquiry in Science Classrooms to
Pre-service Teacher Preparation Mrs S Saddul-Hauzaree Senior Lecturer, Mauritius Institute of Education |
Day 3: Friday,
7th September 2006
Key theme: Future Trends
|
Time |
Activities/Presentations |
|
09 00 –
09 30 |
Introducing Ground Breaking Science
into Teaching and Assessment Dr
P Wothers Department
of Chemistry Cambridge, UK |
|
09 30 –
10 00 |
Explore, Experience and Enjoy Science Dr A Maulloo, Director, Rajiv
Gandhi Science Centre |
|
10 30 – 11 15 |
Research and Innovation at the University
of Mauritius Prof S Rughooputh,
Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Mauritius
Highlights
of Teaching and Research at University of Mauritius Associate Prof. H.
Li Kam Wah, Dean Faculty of
Science, University of Mauritius |
|
11 15 –
12 15 |
Group Discussion
Session Are
there any common strands in all the developments or is each situation unique
and need a customised response? What can we learn from each other? |
Programme for Opening Ceremony: Science Colloquium
5 September 2007
|
09 15 – 09 30 |
Welcome Address Prof L Finette, Mauritius Examinations Syndicate |
|
09 30 – 09 45 |
Address
Dr N Burdett, Cambridge International Examinations
|
|
09 45 – 10 00 |
Opening Address
Hon Dharam
Gokhool, Minister of Education and Human Resources
|
|
10 00 – 10 15 |
Award Ceremony for Best Science
Teacher
|
|
10 15 |
Refreshments
|