Abstract
Every government strives to equip its citizens with scientific and technological literacy to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. SEAMEO RECSAM is a regional center mandated to enhance science and mathematics education in the Southeast Asian region. RECSAM organizes the Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS) Congress, dubbed as the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) version in Southeast Asia. This innovative intervention nurtures the development of scientific thinking and twenty-first-century skills as students engaged in research projects on authentic community problems. This paper reports on three case studies from Thailand, Philippines, and Malaysia. The first and second cases elaborated on SSYS as a bridge for formal and informal science education. The third case dealt with RECSAM’s e-portal called “Southeast Asia Regional Capacity-Enhancement Hub (SEARCH),” an initiative for public access to science education and at the same time as resources for science teaching and learning. In conclusion, SSYS initiative needs to be strengthened by the Ministries of Education of 11 SEAMEO member counties to ensure more participation among young scientists and wider public access to informal science education for the promotion of scientific literacy in the region. Educational implications and future directions are also advanced.
Keywords
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Azian, A., Devadason, R. P., Ng, K. T., & Wahyudi. (2010). Building networks for knowledge-exchange and peer learning in science and mathematics education within SEAMEO member countries and beyond – The role of SEAMEO RECSAM. In B. Fredriksen (Ed.), Journal of International Cooperation in Education (JICE) (Special Issue on ‘Rethinking education aid to enhance its effectiveness: Global coordination issues in the allocation and use of education aid’). Hiroshima University, Japan: Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education (CICE).
Mangao, D. D., & Foo, L. K. (2009, May 21–24). Bridging the school and community through student research: The 6th SSYS experience. Paper presented at the 14th international conference on education. Brunei Darussalam: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Mangao, D. D., & Cheah, U. H. (2013). Case studies: Benefits of student research. In C. Campbell & I. Robottom (Eds.), Learning beyond the classroom. Penang: SEAMEO RECSAM.
Ng, K. T., & Nyunt, K. A. K. (2010, May 17–20). The development of an on-line learning hub in SEARCH for youth science and mathematics researchers. Paper presented in global learn 2010 conference. Parkroyal Hotel, Penang.
Ng, K. T., Toh, L., & Boey, M. L. (2010, November). Exemplary practices in SEARCH for youth science and mathematics researchers (series 1): ‘Science across the world’ (SAW) programme. In Learning Science and Mathematics on-line journal. Issue 5, pp. 1–x. SEAMEO RECSAM. http://www.recsam.edu.my/lsm/index.htm
Sarmiento, C. Q. S., Ng, K. T., Cheah, U. H., & Wahyudi. (2006, December 6–8). Content analysis of youth scientific programme: An RCE innovative and integrated approach for sustainable development among SEAMEO member countries. Paper presented and compiled in proceedings of 10th APEID international conference “learning together for tomorrow: Education for sustainable development”. Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok. Retrieved from http://www.unescobkk.org/education/apeid/apeid-international-conference/10-th-apeid-international-conference/programme/concurrent-sessions/
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mangao, D.D., Thoe, N.K. (2014). Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS) – RECSAM’s Initiative for Promoting Public Science Education: The Way Forward. In: Zhang, B., Fulmer, G., Liu, X., Hu, W., Peng, S., Wei, B. (eds) International Conference on Science Education 2012 Proceedings. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54365-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54365-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-54364-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-54365-4
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)