Alumni Grant Scheme: Transformative Math and Science Education
Figuring as group leaders are Milton Norman Medina (Curtin University) and Guillermo Bonghanoy (Monash University). Melanie Edig, Alben Sagpang, and Michelle Acledan round up the group of 5 educators seeking to investigate and provide concrete steps in addressing various problems in the Philippine basic mathematics and science education. The group designed their project in consultation with Dr. Peter Charles Sinclair Taylor, Associate Professor of Transformative Education Science and Mathematics Education Centre at Curtin University, who remains their mentor throughout the implementation phase.
Interview with Mr. Milton Medina, Group leader
How did the group come up with the project?
The project was actually part of the Transformative Education Research Group (TERG) Philippines Program we started in 2010 under the supervision of Dr. Peter Taylor of Curtin University of which its primary purpose to introduce innovations in math and Science education in the country. In as much as we know our math and science education is greatly influenced by western culture i.e. we teach our children with elephants, lions, etc. and mathematics are written using the western culture as well, which are not found endemically in our country. Our children (even we) became alienated with what we have, we have no idea how rich our biodiversity really is, so how can we convince our students to act towards conservation of our native species for example? In addition, there are so many localized materials that are not yet utilized in teaching and learning mathematics. Our project tries to introduce life-like/real life experiences to our basic education teachers (and students making them more socially responsible and response-able citizens. Localized and culturally-inclusive math and science education will always make a difference in the lives of every Filipinos.
What sort of changes are we hoping to see as the outcome of this project?
We wish to empower our Deped teachers that learning math and science is really fun, especially when taught in real-life setting, engaging our students with real-life issues, and in the end (hopefully) enable them to take concrete actions towards conservation, and sustainable future.
What steps have you undertaken in the implementation of this project?
I would like to thank my colleagues who really take this project to the next level. A series of negotiations has been made by the team and our partners and finally this project has been included now in the University agenda and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been made between the University of Mindanao and the division offices of DepEd Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte. The seed money provided by the Australian Embassy will be instrumental in the realisation of this project.
What, in your opinion, is the most exciting part of this project and Alumni Grant Scheme?
I think every school, every teacher, and every student in the country needs transformative education especially in this changing time. Anticipating continuous support from the Australian Embassy and PAHRODF, the team now is very excited exchanging ideas for its its regional and national implementation. We are also happy to recruit more experts in transformative math and science education from the division offices we worked with. I believe increasing our tribe is one key for greater and more efficient TERG program in the future. This Alumni Grant Scheme is a superb initiative of the Australian Embassy and PAHRODF in fueling and concretising great ideas learned by its scholars and to be passed on to our next generations for brighter Philippines.
