NISMED welcomes new director

Mathematics Education Specialist Soledad A. Ulep started her new post as the Institute’s 7th director on 10 December 2011. She has served the Institute for 32 years and grew from the ranks. Starting as a research assistant, she has chaired the elementary and high school mathematics groups and has served as deputy director for research and extension and for administration.

Dr. Merle C. Tan, director for three terms (2002 to 2009), turns over

the symbolic key to Dr. Ulep

A soft spoken and humble person, Dr. Ulep’s academic achievements are solid. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Texas-Austin, USA as a Fulbright-Hays scholar. She finished her M.S. Mathematics from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) and graduated magna cum laude in B.S. Mathematics for Teachers from the Philippine Normal University-Manila both as a Department of Science and Technology scholar. In 2009, she was awarded the UPD Gawad Chanselor sa Natatanging REPS (Extension Category).

Aside from her multifarious involvements in curriculum development, research, teaching, and training, she has published studies in international publications. Equipped with these experiences and capabilities, Dr. Ulep’s vision is to strengthen the Institute’s research culture. Her term ends on 9 December 2014.

Three Japanese mentors honored

In a simple ceremony held at the Science Teacher Training Center auditorium on 3 February 2012, UP NISMED awarded plaques of appreciation to Mr. Takashi Yamagiwa, Dr. Tomosuke Terakawa, and Dr. Kenichi Hiura, for their contribution to the development of science and mathematics education in the Philippines. Dr. Soledad A. Ulep, NISMED Director, together with former directors Prof. Porfirio P. Jesuitas and Dr. Merle C. Tan handed over the plaques.

From left: Dr. Ulep, Dr. Yoshinobu Tokita representing Mr. Yamagiwa,
Dr. Terakawa, Dr. Hiura, Prof. Jesuitas, and Dr. Tan

Mr. Yamagiwa was in charge of science and mathematics education at the Ministry of Education in Japan at the time the Grants-in-Aid request for the establishment of the National Learning Resource Center for Teacher Training in Science and Mathematics Education (NLRCTT, now Science Teacher Training Center or STTC) was first submitted. As head of several missions to study the proposal, Mr. Yamagiwa’s endorsements were instrumental in the eventual approval of the grant in 1988. Due to a lingering illness, Mr. Yamagiwa was not able to personally receive the award.

Dr. Terakawa, then professor of science education at Hiroshima University, was responsible for the selection and dispatch of Japanese science and mathematics education experts to the Science and Mathematics Education Manpower Development Project (SMEMDP)—a project-type technical cooperation program that lasted for five years from 1994 to 1999, following the establishment of the STTC. Dr. Terakawa also led the SMEMDP evaluation team when the project ended in 1999.

Dr. Hiura, the indefatigable JICA expert in science and mathematics education then assigned at NISMED, was recognized for paving the way for Japan’s technical cooperation to benefit the country’s science and mathematics education. It was through his efforts and persistence that the proposal initially penned in 1981 by NISMED’s founding director, TanDr. Dolores F. Hernandez, obtained the Japanese government’s nod of approval seven years later. As team leader, Dr. Hiura led the JICA experts during the SMEMDP project.

The honorees expressed their appreciation for the special recognition in brief but heartfelt messages. The attendees were teary-eyed as they read onscreen the last line of Mr. Yamagiwa’s message, “I will decorate it (referring to the plaque) on my sickbed as my life’s treasure.” Dr. Terakawa, in a shaking voice and trembling hands still holding the plaque, told the audience, “This is the best award I have received in my life.”

An audiovisual presentation depicting documents and activities that highlights the honorees’ respective contributions likewise provided an apt backgrounder to the event. After the plaques were awarded, a group of NISMED staff led the audience in serenading the awardees with a rendition of “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko.” Viewing of the Dolores F. Hernandez memorabilia installed at the STTC Library concluded the event.

Dr. Merle C. Tan bags the 2011 Gawad Chanselor sa Natatanging REPS

On her third and final term as Director of the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED), University of the Philippines-Diliman awarded Dr. Merle C. Tan the Natatanging REPS sa 2011 Gawad Chanselor (Extension Category). The Search Committee consisted of Dr. Luis G. Sison (Chair), Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, Dr. Miguel D. Fortes of the Marine Science Institute, Dr. Leticia S. Tojos of the College of Social Work and Community Development, and Dr. Benedicta O. Lascano of the Office of Counseling and Guidance. The ceremonies were fittingly held at the NISMED Auditorium. It was a well-deserved honor to cap a long and fruitful career in science education.

Dr. Tan with former UP-Diliman Cancellor Sergio S. Cao 

and UP College of Education Dean Dina Joana S. Ocampo

The citation that was read during the awarding rites summed up in a nutshell what Dr. Tan has achieved in the four decades since she joined NISMED: Para sa kanyang ambag sa pagpapabuti ng edukasyong pang-agham sa pamamagitan ng pagbuo ng isang balangkas ng curriculum pang-agham, na gabay sa pagsisiyasat para sa batayang edukasyon. Para sa kanyang aktibong papel sa pagbuo ng ugnayan sa iba’t ibang institusyon at sa pagdudulot ng mga yaman upang mapalaganap ang kakayahang pang-agham sa publiko. At para sa pagtataguyod ng pagtulong sa mga guro upang maimulat ang mga mag-aaral mula sa tradisyonal na “Nauunawaan ko” sa mas makapangyarihang “Nauunawaan ko kung paano ito.”

The award recognized Dr. Tan’s advocacy for educational reforms, her being a tireless educator, always on the go, cooking up countless projects to advance the cause of science and mathematics education, not only here in our own country but abroad as well. In the past three years alone prior to the award, Dr. Tan has led the Institute in holding two conferences and one seminar-workshop: Meeting the Challenges in Science and Mathematics Education: Innovations in Action (International Conference, 2008); Let Children Shine, Theme: Assessment for Learning (National Seminar-Workshop, 2009); and Assessing Learning: Innovations and Practices (International Conference, 2010).

The accolade also expressed appreciation for Dr. Tan’s role in the development of resources not only for students and teachers but also for policy- and decision-makers. In 2008, together with Dr. Vivien M. Talisayon of the UP College of Education, she edited the book Science Education for Sustainable Development. In the same year, she was one of the editors of Addressing Misconceptions in Mathematics and Science, a book designed ‘to overcome the proliferation of misconceptions.’ In 2009, she was the project coordinator in the revision of the Department of Education (DepED) textbook Integrated Science. And most importantly, Dr. Tan labored mightily as chair of the technical working group that produced Teach Less, Learn More, Proposed Science Curriculum Framework for Basic Education, and Raising the Bar for Science Teachers, Proposed Framework for Science Teacher Education with Standards of Performance.

Undoubtedly, the success of Dr. Tan’s varied undertakings depended greatly on her extensive network within the science education community and beyond, having worked with the Environmental Management Bureau - Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, the Science Education Institute and Philippine Science High School System, both of the Department of Science and Technology, the Bureau of Elementary Education and Bureau of Secondary Education, both of DepED, and the Commission on Higher Education. Overseas, Dr. Tan has also served as Academic Adviser at the Hiroshima University International Development in Education and Cooperation Graduate School.

There is no off position on Dr. Tan’s educator switch. She sees learning opportunities everywhere, especially at home where she has to play babysitter now and then to a growing number of apo. She is known to lighten up otherwise prim and proper meetings by recounting teachable moments involving her grandchildren. Given the slightest excuse, Dr. Tan would quote Mica’s incredulous question again, for the nth time. “You mean I’m an animal, Lola?” The Gawad Chanselor Award could not have gone to a more worthy recipient.

Alumni group honors Dr. Merle C. Tan

Citing “long dedication to the cause of education,” the UP College of Education Alumni Association, Inc. (UPCEAAI) honored NISMED Dr. Merle C. Tan by awarding her the prestigious Professional Achievement Award during its homecoming and reunion held at the Bahay ng Alumni on 26 June 2011. The alumni group underscored Dr. Tan’s leadership of UP NISMED particularly in the conceptualization and implementation of “professional development programs that have local, regional, and international impact.”

Dr. Tan was one of four recipients in this year’s UPCEAAI’s Professional Achievement Awards. Also honored were Dr. Carolina S. Guerrero, Director of the Department of Education (DepED) Bureau of Alternative Learning System, Dr. Avelina T. Llagas, former Chair of the Board of Professional Teachers, and Dr. Orfelina O. Tuy, OIC-Regional Director of DepED Region V.

Last year, Dr. Tan was also recognized by the UPCEAAI for her “inordinately high productive output and excellent service.” In the coffee table book titled GURU: Distinguished Educators, the alumni body cited Dr. Tan’s research that had significant “policy implications such as: Systems Approach to Teacher Mentoring and Urban Achievement-Science Component (UP-OVCRD 2010), The National Learning Strategies for Science and Mathematics, BESRA (DepED, 2006), and Market Leavers: Brain Drain of Technology Transfer (DOST-SEI, 2005).”

National seminar-workshop on K to 12 curriculum conducted

Three hundred educators trooped to UP NISMED on 26 to 28 October 2011 to participate in the National Seminar-workshop on the K to 12 Curriculum. Hosted by UP NISMED in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepED), the theme of the seminar-workshop was “Nurturing Young Minds to Build Their Future: Opportunities for Science and Mathematics in the K to 12 Curriculum.”

Held in preparation for the implementation of the new K to 12 curriculum in June 2012, the seminar-workshop familiarized the teachers, teacher educators, and school administrators with the K to 12 curriculum framework with focus on science and mathematics; elicited feedback on various features of the curriculum in science and mathematics lessons in relation to content, instructional materials, teaching-learning approaches, and assessment; and provided a venue for participants to exchange effective and relevant strategies in implementing curricular reforms in their classes.

UPD Chancellor Saloma opens the seminar-workshopGroup

UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma opened the seminar-workshop and DepED Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Yolanda S. Quijano keynoted the event. Through cyberspace, a Webinar on Intel® Education Thinking Tools started the plenary sessions. Theresa I. Maves of Intel Corporation Worldwide K to 12 Training and Social Media Manager with three senior Intel trainers namely, Vikki Costa, Dan Morris, and Glen Westbroek demonstrated how the thinking tools can be used in science and mathematics classes.

Key personalities from the academic and technical sectors shared their perspectives on the new curriculum. Robert D. Steele, Founder and Director of Systainability Asia and AtKisson workshopGroup International of Bangkok talked about teaching strategies to incorporate climate change in the classroom. Dr. Dina Joana S. Ocampo, Dean of the UP College of Education discussed how language proficiency impacts learning of science and mathematics. Mr. Gil P. Casuga representing Ms. Imelda B. Taganas, Director of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, presented the draft policy operational guidelines for the technical vocational education and training embedment in the K to 12 curriculum. Dr. Marlene B. Ferido, NISMED Deputy Director for Administration, delivered the paper of Dr. Maria Cristina D. Padolina, President of Centro Escolar University. The paper dealt with the initiatives taken to define the College Readiness Standards which will serve as inputs for the development of both the basic education curriculum and the curricula for the various undergraduate degree programs.

Dr. Merle C. Tan, Director of UP NISMED focused on the characteristics of an inquiry-based, spiraling, and integrated science curriculum. Dr. Soledad A. Ulep and Ms. Lydia M. Landrito presented the proposed K to 12 mathematics curriculum vis-a-vis the old curriculum citing the important bases in formulating the new curriculum. Ms. Celia R. Balbin launched and demonstrated the “KaSaMa Teachers,” an online community of science and mathematics teachers who strive for excellence through innovation and collaboration.

The science and mathematics specialists of NISMED handled 14 parallel sessions. Sample assessment tasks and related lessons spiraled across grades and year levels were modeled. Teacher-participants were encouraged to comment on the lessons and provide feedback on the performance standards.

The participants evaluated the seminar-workshop with an overall mean rating of 3.52 on a scale of 1 to 4 with 4 as the highest.

Honorable Juan Edgardo M. Angara, representative of Aurora, Lone District; Honorable Mariano U. Piamonte Jr., representative of A Teacher Party List; and Atty. Mercedita S. Nolledo, alumna of Nueva Ecija High School sponsored teacher-participants from their respective areas. Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Mathematics Education and Research, Inc. sponsored a plenary speaker.

Intel®, ScienceStar, Corp., and Dane Publishing House, Inc. were the major sponsors of the event. Del Monte Philippines, Inc., UP Information Technology Training Center, Manila Water Company, Inc., and Philippine National Bank-UP Campus were the promotional product sponsors. AGHAM Party List Representative Angelo B. Palmones, who delivered the closing message, donated hand lenses for distribution to selected schools. PHIVOLCS-DOST, PAGASA-DOST, Environmental Management Bureau-DENR, Department of Health, Public Affairs Office-DENR, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-DENR, UP Marine Science Institute, UP Natural Science Research Institute, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau-DENR, and Prof. Rhodora V. Azanza of UP Marine Science Institute donated Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for the seminar-workshop kit.