Launched by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute as part of its Twinning Project under its Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR), four Science faculty members: Dr. Aaron A. Funa, Prof. Mylene J. Lascano, Prof. Cyra Mae R. Soreda, & Mr. Renz Alvin Gabay and four Mathematics educators: Dr. Olive N. Mancera, Prof. Karina D. Belardo, Prof. Anthony L. Madrazo, & Ms. Karen Mae H. Palabrica from Sorsogon State University (SorSU) participated in a five-day DOST-SEI STAR Twinning Camp from November 7-11, 2024, at the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati City.
Aimed at bringing together all the Twinning Partners from Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 to forge linkage for potential partnerships and collaborations, the five-day camp introduced the recent trends in STEM education and oriented participants regarding the STAR Twinning Project. The camp highlighted capacity-building and mentoring activities, featuring lectures focused on Trends in STEM Education by Dr. Sheryl Lyn C. Monterola (Professor, UP Diliman), Pre-Service STEM Teacher Education Curriculum Model for Society 5.0 by Dr. Alfons Jayson O. Pelgone (Associate Dean – FSTEM, PNU Manila), Concerns in STEM Education and Explorations on Involvement of HEIs for Development by Dr. Ester B. Ogena (Former PNU President and Vice President, Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education), Understanding Mentorship and The Mentee Playbook by Ms. Rosejelynn Bulante (Instructor Analyst, Accenture), as well as roundtable discussions, team building activities, and reflections/actions/vision sessions. Bicol University was the twinning partner of the SorSU team, with BU Star Trainers providing capacity-building support through the knowledge and skills they gained from the STAR Project.
A three-year mentoring program, the DOST-SEI’s STAR Twinning Project is designed to foster the professional growth of selected Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) through the conduct of capacity-building undertakings and mentoring programs for science and mathematics education faculty members. (SorSU PIO)
Photo credit: Dr. Aaron A. Funa
