DOST-SEI, CEd, DepEd-10 train Region 10 teachers on Inquiry-based Science Teaching Approach
by Jun Karren V. Caparoso, CEd
The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the MSU-IIT College of Education (CEd), in cooperation with the Department of Education Regional (DepEd) Office-10, successfully trained 50 teachers and Education Program Supervisors (EPS) in Science on Inquiry-Based Science Teaching Approach on August 12-14 at CED Rooms 202-203.
The three-day activity is the realization of MSU-IIT’s commitment to train the DepEd teachers in the region after three of its faculty members Professors Charity Mulig-Cruz, Ellen J. Castro and Jun Karren V. Caparoso attended the national level training of trainers conducted by DOST-SEI in Baras, Rizal on May 5-8, 2015.
This activity is also part of the Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR) Project of DOST-SEI in which MSU-IIT is one of the six participating universities.
The participating 40 secondary school teachers and 10 EPS represent the 10 divisions of the region were Bukidnon, Malaybalay City, Valencia City, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin.
The training provided the participants with a deeper understanding of Inquiry-based Teaching Approach using the 7E Instructional Model. It likewise provided them an opportunity to design a sample Inquiry activity and an Action Plan for their echo trainings in their respective divisions.
Dr. Manuel B. Barquilla, the CED Acting Dean, welcomed the participants to MSU-IIT during the short opening program. For her part, Ms. Ruby D. Laña, Chief of the Science Education and Innovations Division of DOST-SEI, in her message, challenged the participants to get the most out of the training.
Ms. April C. Dumayag, Science Education Specialist, introduced the Project STAR (Science Teacher Academy for the Regions) and its objectives and talked about the role of the participants after the said training is passed down to their respective divisions.
Mr. Marino O. Dal, EPS-CLMD-Mathematics and representative of Dep Ed Regional Office-10 provided a review of the December 2013 K to 12 Science Curriculum. He emphasized the need to develop scientifically literate citizens in this part of the country and the importance of teaching Science through the Inquiry Approach.
Professors Charity Mulig-Cruz, Ellen J. Castro, Everlita E. Canalita, and Jun Karren V. Caparoso of CED-MSU-IIT served as trainers.
Mulig-Cruz gave a comprehensive lecture on Inquiry-based Learning and Science Investigatory Projects, while Caparoso presented the 7E Instructional Model and the 7E Lesson Plan format. Before the workshops, the trainers, Castro, Mulig-Cruz, Canalita and Caparoso presented their sample lessons in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Earth and Space Science, respectively, for Grades 7 and 8. It was done to show the use of the 7E model (an Inquiry-based Approach in teaching Science) in transforming an existing learning plan. Discussions followed after each presentation.
During the workshops, the participants reviewed selected Grade 7 and 8 lessons and tried to improve them based on their contexts. They were also given topics and directed to develop their first 7E Lesson Plan.
The action planning and actual classroom demonstrations happened on the last day. The EPS of each division facilitated the action planning and finalization of the training design. Based on their plans, most of the division echo trainings are tentatively scheduled in October. For the actual classroom demonstration, four teachers were assigned as demonstration teachers for the four Science areas at Iligan City National High School. It was done to test the workability of their designed 7E Lesson Plan and see if the model really works for them.
During the post conference, the evaluators all agreed that the 7E Lesson Plan is a good alternative for their Daily Lesson Log. They also added that it is more convenient to use for it is a comprehensive guide in implementing an inquiry lesson.