The Institute of Education (IfE) will over the next three years offer training to staff and collaborators at Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara, in various learning approaches, school syllabi and curricula. The aim is to improve their ability to link their interactions with students visiting the science centre with the school curricula, where necessary. It will also enable Esplora staff to develop pre- and post-visit resources together with teachers so as to enhance students’ learning experiences.
These initiatives are expected as a result of the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the IfE and the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST). The agreement aims to develop Continuing Professional Development to contribute towards the upgrading and upskilling of Esplora staff, teachers and collaborators who co-develop content for the Esplora education programme.
Besides enabling Esplora staff to attend IfE courses, the memorandum of understanding speaks about the possiblilty to create new accredited IfE courses to cater for the needs of Esplora staff, teachers, parents and the public. Meanwhile, the IfE will also be able to use the premises at Esplora to complement its training through hands-on learning, especially for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses offered by IfE, whereby part of the course could be held on site.
At the signing of the memorandum, MCST chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said: “We cannot work in isolation; we must work together to prepare future generations to face challenges in the work place. This collaboration between Esplora and IfE will yield the highest level of staff.”
IfE CEO Joanne Grima said: “Through this agreement with MCST, educators will have the opportunity to directly link scientific theories to practice, engaging more learners in the process.”
The memorandum was signed in the presence of Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, who commented: “Gone is the time whereby education happens just at school. We live in a society where learning happens not only in formal education settings such as schools, but also in non-formal education centres such as Esplora. We need more children and youths to choose the fields of science and technology to work towards a sustainable future for our country and our planet.”