IskandarWorld: OGDC Ignite the spark

I was reading today newspaper and saw an article in Borneo Bulletin today by Liza Mohd on the Orientation & Motivational workshop for AAC's year 7 student...I received several calls asking about the progs and how it was run....let me start at the beginning..

When I first started this prog., the thought was to help students to be interested in learning science & maths..taking into account the no. of students taking these subjects are declining. As a science centre, we can do something to help. So I developed a prog. called Ignite the spark (may be I might change the name....) and the best place to try the prog is non other than AAC, why you might ask?
- Firstly, of the low percentage of passes in science and maths
- and it's just a stone throw away ( easy access for teachers & students to OGDC...)

Below are an excerpt from my working paper....

Oil & Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), as a science centre plays a pivotal role in educating, exciting and motivating students to ‘love’ science. In line with this, OGDC in collaboration with Anthony Abell College, Seria initiate a project called ‘Ignite the Spark’, which hopes to instill and ignite interest in learning and the love of science amongst students and teachers and at the same time developing essential skills, good values and attitudes as aspired by SPN 21 (Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad ke 21), Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam.

PURPOSE

- Cultivating interest in learning sciences, ICT and mathematic amongst students
- Increasing the number of students taking science and math subjects and hence encouraging more students to take-up careers in Engineering, Geologist, etc.

WHAT IS “IGNITE THE SPARK” PROGRAMME?

Science is in everything we see, use, and do. It explains how the world works and it teaches us to reason, question, test, problem solve, and think creatively. Science is not just for the future researchers, technologists, or engineers of the world—it’s for every student.
Ignite the Spark is a pilot project for teachers and students aimed in sharing OGDC’s experiences in Hands-on & Minds-on approach in science education through interactive exhibits and science enrichment activities.
With the new education system introduced by the Ministry of Education – SPN21 Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad ke 21, Ignite the Spark project will certainly help to complement the Ministry’s objectives in developing teachers and students knowledge and skills in learning;
• Science
• ICT
• Mathematics

The framework below is specifically for teachers...I did not include framework for students in this post.

Note: This is a 3 years prog. and divided into several stages..including teachers., students & ....

Orientation & Motivation workshop for AAC year 7 students
Saturday, 24 January 2009

Welcoming speech by the Principal, Cikgu Rahagi

Ck Audry, brief the students on who are your friends...an ice breaking activity that we develop. Prior, to the students' orientation workshop we have conducted a workshop for teachers on how to facilitate the progs and what activities to be conducted. I have used the approach "train the trainers"..whereby, these activities are to be conducted by the teachers themselves (after the workshop these teachers should have the skills and competency) and our (OGDC) role is to make sure things run smoothly.

This is an ice breaking activity...to enable students to get to know each other and to create a harmonious and friendly atmosphere

This is one of the activity participated by the students

I have included Tech. Challenge as part of the prog. Tech. Challenge prog. is a good way to promote team work amongst students. Students will be able to learnt the value of team work, leadership skills, communication skills, etc