The Ghana Science Association, Cape Coast, has organised a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education workshop for science teachers in the Twifo Ati Morkwa District of the Central Region.
The one-day workshop, on the theme: “Igniting Innovation: Empowering Educators in STEM Education,” was aimed at equipping teachers with practical skills in handling science classes and supporting the students to develop interest in science.
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Science Education, UCC, Dr. Kofi Acheaw Owusu, who took the participants through general pedagogy and specific teaching strategies, encouraged science teachers to embrace the new teaching methodology to whip up interest among pupils and students.
Dr. Kofi Acheaw Owusu addressing the participants
He advised teachers to prepare their lesson notes regularly since that was the foremost preparation expected of every teacher who was committed to his or her work and cautioned them not to teach students as if they were teaching their co-equals in class.
“Learners should be engaged physically and cognitively in the knowledge acquisition process, in a rich and rigorous inquiry-driven environment. Just allow them to play an active role,” he said, stressing that teaching must be learner-centered.
Dr. Owusu continued: “The students should do more of the work because they require the knowledge, thus, the role of the teacher will then change from being a giver of knowledge to a facilitator and assistant in the teaching and learning process.”
He pointed out that the classroom must become discussion-oriented instead of lecture-based, indicating that teachers must craft activities in advance to engage students in the teaching and learning process.
The Cape Coast Branch President of the Association, Dr. Benjamin Aboagye, said the workshop was in line with its mandate to adopt best practices and improve on science education.
Dr. Benjamin Aboagye
He underscored the need to equip the teachers with 21st Century teaching skills.
“This is the time we have to train the teachers to know how to get the students involved in the teaching process and get them to understand whatever they are teaching.” Dr. Aboagye added.
In a remark, the District Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Agyemang, expressed worry that STEM subjects were not popular in the District, and, therefore, it was important to broaden science education to whip interest and create more opportunities for children with potentials in the field.
Some participants in the workshop
Mr. Isaac Ofori, a participant of the workshop and science teacher at the Morkwa Senior High School, said the training had enlightened him about how to engage students to critically think in the classroom. Mr. Ofori said he was going to replicate what he had learnt in the classroom to get the best out of his students.
Prof. Ernest Anderson, of the Department of Physics at the UCC, also took the teachers through the rudiments of physics education in the classroom.
Source: Documentation and Information Section