Teacher training in using Microscience Experiments
At the request of Member States and on the availability of funds, UNESCO organises teacher training workshop in countries.
The tentative programme would be as follows:
1. A 1-2 day introductory and demonstration workshop on Microchemistry and other kits to be carried out by an international facilitator in order to demonstrate the Microscience methodology and the development of the UNESCO Global Microscience Project.
• Participants would have the opportunity to see the kits being used in conjunction with the accompanying teaching and learning materials. In practical session, participants/ chemistry teachers can themselves carry out different experiments (30 persons for the practical work).
• The facilitator would show the range of kits available for other subjects such as biology, physics and science at primary level.
2. Consultative meeting of 1-2 days for adaptation of Microscience Experiments to the national curriculum
• Target persons for the consultative meeting would be secondary school teachers, curriculum planners, representatives of different ministries and other national stakeholders (30-60 persons).
• Documentation for working towards an adaptation would be sent in advance. The documentation would include the full sets of experiments available for Chemistry. Teachers and curriculum planners/developers would work in groups to select those experiments that might fit to their curricula. The facilitator would animate brainstorming sessions on how to adapt UNESCO’s existing teaching and learning materials and kits to the national curriculum. Adapted Palestinian and Malaysian Kits will be used as examples. The facilitator could also present methods of adaptation for other subjects (Biology and Physics), should there be a request for it.
• A proposal on the implementation of the project nationally will be produced by the participants, with assistance from UNESCO, to be distributed to the Government, National Commission and other stakeholders.
A committee of persons (to include as appropriate, teachers, curriculum developers and planners as well as other stakeholders) would be established whose aims are to implement the proposal and to steer the project forward. For the sustainability of the project and for national ownership, the work of this committee would be essential. Technical assistance in terms of expert advice from UNESCO for the follow up of the project would be provided.
UNESCO will take care for the travel and accommodation costs of the facilitator and the Secretariat.
The hosting national organization will take care for:
- Costs of conference (accommodation, facilities, meals)
- Costs of invitations • Travel and accommodation costs for national experts
- Interpretation, if necessary.
The number of national experts who will be invited depends on the needs and wishes of the host country.