Maltese Association of Science Educators set up

October 26 marked the launch of the Maltese Association of Science Educators (MASE), which was set up by 15 Science subject teachers undergoing the first Master's degree in Science Education at the University of Malta. The event was held at the Coastline Hotel.

Over 100 science teachers attended, including lecturers, subject co-ordinators, teachers from state, Church and independent schools, and also student teachers.

This showed the great need for such an association among science educators, and their willingness to form part and contribute to the scientific community as a group of professionals.

The launching was introduced by Dario Pirotta, physics teacher at St Aloysius College and president of MASE, who emphasised the importance of making science more relevant to the students' life, thus enabling them to be informed decision makers later on in life.

The second speaker was Ray Camilleri, Director Curriculum from the Education Division, who acknowledged the importance of such an association and also promised the Division's full co-operation with MASE.

Dr Paul Pace, senior lecturer at the University of Malta, dwelt on the challenges, threats and opportunities which science teachers face when they encounter changes and what the possible reactions to such changes are.

Later, Tano Bugeja, from Lily of the Valley Secondary School, Mosta, explained what can be found in the association's Website and how it can be accessed. The address is www.masemalta.com.

The Website is intended as a link between science teachers in the primary, secondary and post-secondary sector. In it one can also find numerous resources and concurrent events relating to science teaching.

The launch ended with a reception, where the guests could ask questions and discuss directly with the founders of the association. The sponsors of the event were OnVol, HSBC (Malta), GasanMamo Insurance, Tumas Group and Agenda Bookshop.