Bangkok--26 Nov--Siam PR Consultant
To gauge the success of its small-scale chemistry laboratory training, Dow Thailand in collaboration with the Chemical Society of Thailand recently hosted a small-scale lab project contest in which participating schools demonstrated how they were able to adopt and apply the new experiment technique acquired through the training in their science classrooms.
The contest is part of the DOW Chemistry Class project, which has been running throughout the year. So far, the project has consisted of the designing of ten experiments based on the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique for training, the training of 61 science teachers from 21 schools in Rayong, the introduction of the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique and equipment in the actual classrooms, and the evaluation and additional guidance by the organizing team. Thanks to the continuity of the project and the cooperation from the 21 schools, the DOW Chemistry Class has achieved great progress and success.
Presided over by Tassana Vichaithanapat, Rayong Deputy Governor, the Small-Scale Chemistry Laboratory Contest aimed to enhance the potential and success of how the trained science teachers can adopt the new experiment technique in their classrooms as well as served as one of the indicators for the success of the DOW Chemistry Class. Divided into two categories which are secondary schools and extended opportunity schools, the contest offered evidence of how the participating schools can apply acquired knowledge from the training into their teaching activities and use easy-to-find everyday objects to design their own experiments. Eleven schools participated in the contest and submitted a total of 13 science projects. Teachers who were named “role models” were also presented with certificates.
Poranee Kongamornpinyo, Public Affairs Director of Dow Thailand, said, “Throughout the four phases of the DOW Chemistry Class, the project has been expanded and optimized for the utmost benefit of the teachers and students as we place great emphasis on the project’s sustainability and the progress on teaching and learning capacity. The science project contest is one important activity that helps stimulate the mind of the students as well as change the attitude of both the teachers and their students that science experiments need to be carried out with expensive laboratory equipment. In contrast, we can use the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique, which is safe and environmentally-friendly, for experiments in classroom. In addition, the technique allows for new experiment equipment based on what we can find around ourselves and still offers the same experiment results. It truly meets the need for development of science teaching and learning in Thailand.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supawan Tantayanon, Immediate-past President of the Chemical Society of Thailand, as Director of the small-scale chemistry laboratory training of the DOW Chemistry Class, said, “The science project contest not only measures the success of the DOW Chemistry Class project but also proves the progress on science teaching and learning in Rayong made by the introduction of the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique. Because of the continuity of the project, from the workshop for teachers to the application of the technique in classroom, we can see that science education has developed to another level. At the same time, this project has turned the science teachers in Rayong into “role models” for a new way of science teaching. They will play a critical role in transferring the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique to other schools and expand the knowledge for the benefit of the country’s science education on a wider scale.”
The contest is divided into two categories: extended opportunity schools and secondary schools. The top winners of both categories are as follows.
Rayong Paknam Wittayakom School Team 2 won first place in the secondary school category from its “Chemical Reactions of Ionic Compounds” project, receiving a trophy, a small lab kit, and 40 sets of small-scale chemistry laboratory equipment.
Monthana Mahamad, or Kru Fa, from Rayong Paknam Wittayakom School, said, “During my participation in the DOW Chemistry Class project, I got to exchange ideas with the committee and fellow teachers, which has benefited my thinking and creativity and brought about scientific skills that I can apply to my teaching. All this has led to the application of the small-scale chemistry laboratory equipment to conduct an experiment on chemical reactions of ionic compounds, which are fundamental knowledge for Matthayom 4 students. I’ve designed a safe and uncomplicated small-scale experiment in which the students can participate and use the experiment equipment by themselves. The students have also voiced their opinions that have been used to further develop the experiment for more suitability. The experiment equipment we use can generate more interest and understanding among the students and makes the class more fun. They prefer the new way of learning to simply reading a textbook.”
Pattravadee Deeburee, or Pookan, a Matthayom 4 student, said, “I’m glad and proud to have taken part in this science project contest and won this top award. My friends and I not only learned a lot of scientific knowledge but also had the opportunity to conduct the experiment by ourselves. It’s trial and error, but under the guidance of the teacher. So, it’s fun. I got to understand the reactions of ionic compounds better. I think this newly-designed experiment equipment will be very useful for science learning, allowing the students to understand the lesson better and have more safety and fun while learning.”
Map Ta Phut Municipality School won first place in the extended opportunity school category for its “Wonders of Acid and Base” project, receiving a trophy, a small lab kit, and 50 sets of small-scale chemistry laboratory equipment.
Kanida Yodpanya, or Kru Moo, from Map Ta Phut Municipality School, said, “The acquired knowledge about the use of the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique in classroom, which is part of the DOW Chemistry Class project, has inspired the idea behind the “Wonders of Acid and Base” project, an experiment on acid and base solutions for Matthayom 1 students. During the design of this experiment, the students were involved in researching and finding objects such as plates, dropper bottles, and toothpicks as well as easy-to-find household chemicals that are safe to use. We also evaluated the students’ scientific skills and satisfaction before and after the new experiment equipment was introduced. The results helped develop a set of equipment that is most suitable for teaching and the students’ interest.”
Warunee Pimkeeree, or Aom, a Matthayom 1 student at Map Ta Phut Municipality School, said, “I was excited and glad that I got to join the science project contest. It allowed me to learn science with the small-scale chemistry laboratory technique and developed my thinking skills for conducting an experiment in order that I can understand the lesson better. Before, we used to do experiments with large equipment and sometimes there was not enough equipment for every student. Now that we have the small-scale chemistry laboratory equipment, we can learn science with more fun and convenience. If possible, I’d like to join this kind of activity again.”