stem

Summary

Based on the suggestion of our PEER program manager (Dr. Dalal Najib), we proposed to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning in the remote island schools in Southern Maldives. The project is being undertaken in the Fares-Maathoda and Thinadhoo islands in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll by the equatorial passage. 

We were able to prepare instruments and documentation and trialing procedures were undertaken. After obtaining permission to work with the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre and Huvadhoo School, discussions were held with the principals, teachers to plan project implementation. So far, 

• weather stations have been installed in both schools are online
• Water quality instruments, microscopes and a weather station were made available to the students. 
• Support for the upcoming science fair is anticipated 
• a portal is being developed to provide access to students and their educators of resources at SIRC and FECT.

We expect to complete this work in the next quarter. 

Small Island Research Centre (SIRC)

SIRC is a Maldivian Research Institute with offices in Male and in the Fares-Maathoda islands, which is also a partner in this project. FECT has carried out weather and climate monitoring at SIRC Maathodaa. Under the PEER cycle 3 grant an automatic weather station was installed at Maathoda, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll near the equator and observations are available from October 2016.

Sponsors

• PEER Program of the National Academy of Sciences

• Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre
• Huvadhoo School
• Review information for water resources, drought and disasters with educational experts and teachers
• Develop a web-portal including interactive tools, introductory video, and policy briefs, flyers and posters
• Enable the Use of PEER outputs for STEM Education in Schools: Focus on Fares-Maathoda in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and neighboring islands
• Demonstrate the use of scientific information for  resource management and hazard and infection disease risk management by community groups and local government officials’s
• Collaboratively develop content and material to support citizen science and community resource management (water, coral reefs and fisheries) and risk management (natural hazards and infectious diseases).

What has been done?

• Work Plan Finalized between SIRC and FECT. Discussion with principal, teachers and students of Huvadhoo School on how to include this work program.
• Discussion with principal, teachers and a few students of the Thinadhoo High School (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre).
• The Thinadhdhoo School has been provided with a weather instrument and water quality instruments.
• Weather station provided to the Maathoda Island is functional.

Some of the details of the work undertaken were

• Aisha Abdullah and others at SIRC wrote to the Maldives Zonal Ministry, Principals of the Thinadhoo and Huvadhoo School. Instruments and supplies for student laboratory work were prepared and acquired.
• A Laboratory was set up for trials in FECT offices in Sri Lanka with the same equipment as in SIRC offices Maathoda Maldives.
• Introductory materials for students as expected in the work plan are being prepared. Dates for workshop in Maldives are being finalized and plans for workshop in the Maldives are being finalized.