Penang Homeschool

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Penang Homeschool

STEM Program for Penang Home Schoolers

 

PREAMBLE

 

The traditional teaching of science, by and large, focuses on absorbing facts and principles which stifles the opportunities for creativity and innovation.  In addition, if there are area lack of experimentation and hands-on experience in the learning of the sciences – major components of the training of a scientific mind – will be missing. These include key skills like observations and making sense of those observations through conceptualization and generalization of causes and effects, and derivation of conclusions from what was observed. 

 

POWERSAINS believes this STEM program will help bridge the gap in the current STEM curriculum in schools. And more so now, where the enrolment in science subjects in school has seen a steady decline in Malaysia over the last 2 decades, with 20% or less of students in senior years taking science-related streams.

 

Not surprisingly, the enrolment in science subjects in school has seen a steady decline in Malaysia over the last 2 decades, with 20% or less of students in senior years taking science related streams currently. POWERSAINS believe this program will bridge the gaps found in most STEM teaching in schools.         

 

The critical STEM skills which POWERSAINS terms “STEM Smartness©” is not just about STEM knowledge but skills necessary for life. If properly assimilated, having STEM Smartness© will be advantages for students to thrive in life through proper reasoning and systemic approach in how they make sense and respond to the fast-changing environment of the 21st century. 

 

OVERALL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

 

To: 

  1. Develop STEM Smartness© i.e. scientific thinking skills and behavior incorporating elements of   

Observing, Recording, Hypothesizing, Predicting, Interpreting, Measuring, Communicating, Collaborating, 

Analyzing, Problem Solving, and Searching.

  1. Impart practical STEM tools and methodologies for creative innovation.
  2. Encourage collaboration and networking.
  3. Develop entrepreneurial skills. 

PROGRAM FORMAT

 

  • Program Segment

A typical program segment will carry a main theme. Within the theme, other related elements or sub themes from a hybrid of STEM disciplines will be incorporated to enhance the learning experience.

 

Each theme will include a workbook and a custom-designed kit that will allow the students to work through the STEM Smartness© elements via hands-on activities, videos, discussions with peers and others, independent research and self-reflections. 

 

  • Facilitated Sessions and Program Segment Projects

Each program segment will include 2 to 3 days workshop where intensive coaching will be provided by a facilitator on the key STEM elements, as laid out in the activities of the workbook.

 

This will be followed by two months period where students will do an open-ended project in teams.  The purpose of the project is to allow students to develop independent thinking and to provide opportunity to innovate. In addition, we will encourage projects that can come up with something that is uniquely useful, applicable or even marketable. 

 The students are allowed to form their own teams and each team must have a team leader. Over several program segments, it is envisaged that all students will have an opportunity to lead a team.  We will provide a team and project management structure. Though not mandatory, students are strongly encouraged to follow the structure, at least for the first iteration of a program segment they are involved in. After that, they are free to modify the structure as they see fit.   

 

During the project period, the facilitator will do one mid-point check session of between 2 to 3 hours with the students collectively. In addition, in the day of the mid-point check, each team shall have an opportunity to consult with the facilitator within a given time frame, typically half hour of consultation. It must be understood that the consultations are not for the purpose of providing solutions to issues encountered related to the project but to provide guidance and pointers on possible resolution paths. The teams must come prepared and clear on what the key things they want to consult the facilitator on. 

 

At the end of the project period, each team is to provide a written report and also give a presentation. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend the presentation day.  Where possible, external assessors will be invited to assess the project.  Each team will be assessed on elements of:

 

  1. STEM Smartness©
  2. Team Work

iii. Project Management, and 

  1. Entrepreneurial features of their project.  

Details of these will be provided during the briefing of each program segment. Team members in teams that complete the project with the minimal requirements for each of the 4 elements mentioned above will receive a certificate. The winning team for each program segment will receive a prize. 

 

 

Program Segment Theme: Electricity and Magnetism

Workshop Duration:  2 Full days and 1 Half Day  

Price/student:  RM250 (for 26 – 35 students) | RM 300 (for 16 – 25 students) | RM350 (for 10 – 15 students)    

 

Note: 

Full day: 10 am – 4 pm.   Half day:  10am – 1 pm

Workbook and a box kit of apparatus for activities will be provided for each participant. 

 

Sessions

Introduction & Briefing

 

Session 1 Magnets & Magnetic Poles 

1. Attraction & Repulsion of Magnets 

2. Behaviours of Compass 

3. Behaviours  of Compass in the presence of a Magnet 

 

Session 2 Magnetic Fields 

1. Vector and Scalar Quantities 

2. What are Fields? 

3. The Magnetic Field 

4. Observing the Magnetic Field with Iron Filings 

5. Observing the Magnetic Field with a Compass 

 

Session 3 The Earth as a Magnet 

1. The Earth’s Magnetic Field 

2. Detecting the Earth’s Magnetic Field 

Session 4 Electromagnetism 

1. Electricity & Magnetism are related 

2. Producing Magnetism from Electricity 

 

Session 5 Electromagnetic Induction  

1. Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction  

2. Producing Electricity from Magnetism  

 

Session 6 Electrical Components 

1. Passive and Active Components 

2. Resistors 

3. Diodes  

4. Capacitors 

5. Photosensors 

 

Session 7 Electrical Circuits 

1. Series and Parallel Circuits 

2. Current and Voltages in Electrical Circuits 

3. How a two-way switch works. 

 

Project Ideas Discussion and Briefing

The above program schedule might be subject to change.   

 

Max number of Student: 25       Min group size: 10 students   

RM 300 (for 16 – 25 students) 

For 26 students and above or if a junior (9 – 12 years) and senior group (13 – 15 years) run concurrently, 

there will be two facilitators. 

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