Training Teachers in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
New location, new faces, lots of excitement—that’s how we all felt as we flew from Manila to Jakarta, and then to Banjarmasin. We were informed that there would be 150 participants for the workshop. Secondary school teachers and teachers in training eagerly signed up to attend this training to learn practical science activities that can be easily implemented in Banjarmasin schools.
Setting the Stage for Success
The day began with an inspiring keynote address by the Rector and Dean of Lambung Mangkurat University. I also delivered a speech on the role of quality STEM education in rural areas, emphasizing that quality STEM education involves more than just textbooks and exams. It requires an engaging curriculum, trained educators, adequate resources, and inclusive learning. The program culminated with the formal signing of the MOU and MOA between Pueblo Science and Lambung Mangkurat University.
Engaging Workshops and Interactive Sessions
Our training event featured a variety of workshops designed to address the local curriculum and the diverse needs and interests of teachers in Banjarmasin. Highlights included:
Creating simple motors to learn about electromagnetism
Building simple cars and catapults to learn about simple machines and the engineering design process
Learning about pH, acids, and bases using local plants and flowers as indicators, analyzing various local soils for acidity/basicity, and discussing the implications for plant growth
Activities on genetics and natural selection, and learning about genetic algorithms
Learning about plate tectonics, earthquakes, and their implications on the designs of houses and infrastructures
Creating heat-powered turbines to discuss heat transfer, forms, and sources of energy
The workshop also included science magic tricks: quick, one-minute or less activities that engage students in class. The ice cream-making session on the second day was a big hit; everyone was amazed at how easy it was to make ice cream and implement the activity in large classrooms.
Finally, additional resources for teaching practical science were shared. Discussions also covered classroom management, encouraging participation, and gathering quick feedback from students.
Looking Ahead
As the event drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of enthusiasm and optimism in the air. Teachers left with a wealth of new knowledge, practical tools, and a renewed sense of purpose. The training event reaffirmed our commitment to continuous professional development and the importance of supporting teachers in their educational journey.
We are excited to see how the strategies and insights gained from this event will translate into dynamic and effective classroom practices. Preliminary reports indicate that some teachers implemented the activities in their classrooms just one day after our workshop. We look forward to receiving more reports from the other teachers.
Acknowledgements
This blog was written by Mayrose Salvador. We thank the Faculty of Science Education Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Lambung Magkurat University for the videos used in this blog. We also extend our gratitude to Systems for Research for their sponsorship. With their support, we are able to develop activities that cater to the needs of Indonesian teachers.