The Role of Empowerment of Dumai Science Teachers Association (MGMP IPA) in improving the Professional Competency of Junior High School Science Teacher

This study aims to look at the role of empowerment Science Teachers Association (MGMP IPA) in improving the Professional competence of science teachers in the city of Dumai, Indonsia. This type of research was descriptive qualitative. The population of this study were all teachers in MGMP IPA Dumai. The research sample was 70 teachers who were members of the MGMP IPA Dumai. Data collection technique were using questionaires and test. The result showed that average professional ability of the teachers was 74 in good categories, pedagogical average was 61 in the moderate category and PCK was 56 in the moderate category. This shows that MGMP IPA Dumai has not fully played a role in increasing the professional competence of teachrers.

Using Asynchronous Online Discussion in the 7-12 Science Classroom

In the age of post-secondary courses being moved to an online format, the use of asynchronous online discussion (AOD) is at an all-time high. However, though universities are using this method of discussion, K-12 educators are only beginning to explore it. This chapter examines the advantages of 7-12 teachers using AOD in science classrooms, how it aligns with national science standards, the theoretical framework, and explores one manuscript found about a high school science teacher using AOD. The subject of pendulum motion is selected, and each component of the 5E model is described, and potential AOD questions are written for the 5E model pertaining to pendulum motion. Tips and best practices are then discussed for writing AOD questions for science, and further implications described of using this model in 7-12, including a pilot program, creating a prototype model for 7-12, and curbing potentially emotionally charged argumentation devoid of credible evidence.

OBITUARY: Eric Paul McElravy, November 28, 1946-August 27, 2014

Eric P. McElravy, an active researcher in Trichoptera and other groups of aquatic insects for 4 decades, died in San Leandro, California, on August 27, 2014. He was born on November 28, 1946, and raised in Ohio. He completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree at Kent State University, and then spent 10 years as a high school science teacher before earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Entomology from the University of California, Berkeley. Following this, Eric worked as an environmental consultant on various projects throughout California.

Introducing High School Students to Engineering Fundamentals by Four Weeks Engineering Innovation Summer Program

Preparing high school students for engineering disciplines is crucial for sustainable scientific and technological developments in the USA. This paper discusses a pre-college program, which not only exposes students to various engineering disciplines but also enables them to consider engineering as the profession. The four-week long “Engineering Innovation (EI)” course is offered every year to high school students by the center of outreach, Johns Hopkins University. EI program is designed to develop problem-solving skills through extensive hands-on engineering experiments. A team consisting of an instructor, generally a PhD in Engineering, and a teaching fellow, generally a high school science teacher, closely work with students to pedagogically inculcate basics of core engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, electrical, materials, and chemical engineering. EI values independent problem-solving skills and simultaneously promote the team spirit among students. A number of crucial engineering aspects such as professional ethics, communications, technical writing, and understanding of common engineering principles are inculcated among high school students via well-designed individual and group activities. This paper discusses the model of EI program and its impact on students learning and their preparation for the engineering career.

Clasroom Classroom Based Assessment Development for Improving Science Teacher’s Competency in Secondary School at Koto Tangah District

The aims of developing classroom based assessment for science teacher at secondary school in Koto Tangah district are enhancing the science teacher’s competency and strengthening the principle of developing classroom based assessment. Participants are consisted of 35 junior high school science teacher in Koto Tangah district. Training and workshop method were used in this program to accomplish the goals. Before implementing the program, participants were given a prior knowledge about the basic rules of classroom based assessment. In addition, participants were given the instruction sheets to arrange the classroom based assessment and exercising to develop it with instructor’s guidance.