Parallel Session Proceedings »
3.2.1 An International Cooperative Problem Solving Based Program for Nurturing Future Scientists
The Asia-Pacific Forum for Science Talented (APFst) organized by NTNU was designed to provide science talented students with opportunities to get to know each other, showcase their talents, and work collaboratively. Targeted participants are middle high school talented students who are aged 13-16.
With a core theme of “Nurturing Future Scientists for the Betterment of Society”, the 5-year project, first introduced in 2015, has an array of activities highlighting the theme preparing the young talents for future responsible leadership and contribution to society. The themes of the five-year project are social concern, problem solving, imagination, creativity, and leadership separately.
During the past APFst events, students enjoyed doing the hands-on activities, including decide the topic, select the materials, problem-solving, and work as a team. The teacher forum session let the teacher delegates share ideas and showed how they infuse the specific theme of APFst into their teaching practices. In addition to the educational activities, fantastic field trips and culturally rich experiences were arranged that enable all participants to expand their learning and better understand Taiwan’s rich cultures.
Both students and teachers much enjoyed the events, not only because of the rich competitive and cultural activities but also a great experience for students to meet new friends from different countries in a similar age and to learn how to collaborate with each other in a multinational team, solve problem together, familiarize themselves as global citizens, and make lifelong memories.
“It has been a great learning experience for my daughter. I am sure they would love to continue to take forward the associations they have made at Taipei”, said a mother of one of the participants from India.
“The APFst is truly an amazing experience for all of us”, said the two Philippine teacher delegates. “It was an experience that gave us a lot of meaningful learning, fun and exposure to new educational trends in science and various culture and practices. We were able also to gain new friends and able to set new goals in science education for future collaborations with other Asian schools. Hence, the opportunity was a way to better our vision and role as an educator for gifted students in the field of science education”.
Next year’s APFst will take place July 6th to 11th, 2019 at the NTNU campus again in Taipei, focusing on nurturing leadership. Further details will be posted on the APFst Fcebook fan page (https://goo.gl/xSzxKX).