Two Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education students majoring in Physics, Ricky Salem and Ralph Magumpara, participated in an academic training program from February 5 to 11, 2025 at Chiba University in Japan.
The event was organized by Chiba University’s Twin College Envoys (TWINCLE) Program, which aims to promote Japanese-style science education to the international community through the training of young professionals in designing teaching materials. Aside from the two Carolinians, representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, Laos, and Indonesia also attended the program.
In line with the training’s objectives, Salem and Magumpara were immersed in various physics experiments under the guidance of a professor at Chiba University. The experience provided an alternative approach to illustrating physics concepts effectively. Moreover, their exposure to these experiments can aid in developing additional hands-on activities for physics courses.
Aside from the training program, the Annual Meeting of the Asia and ASEAN Center for Educational Research (AACER), along with International Research Sessions and an SDG Workshop, was organized by Chiba University which was attended by participants from various universities. This year’s meeting focused on “Collaboration in Crisis Management” and “Digital Transformation of Education.”
Dr. Rolando V. Obiedo, Dean of the USC School of Education, and Andrew S. Dy, Principal of the USC Senior High School Department, were among the delegates. Additionally, Dr. Obiedo presented a paper entitled, “Navigating the digital shift: The University of San Carlos’ Canvas LMS journey from pandemic resilience to sustainable transformation” where he shared insights with representatives from other countries as well as training participants.
During the International Research Sessions, the Carolinian students shared their research in parallel sessions. Salem presented his paper on the challenges pre-service science teachers faced when teaching junior high school physics, while Magumpara introduced an intervention using a card game to teach electromagnetic and seismic waves to Grade 7 learners. Dr. Obiedo also served as chair in one of the parallel sessions while Mr. Dy served as a panelist during the research presentations.
As a culminating activity of the training, participants engaged in a group brainstorming session related to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), “Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages.” The discussion involved visualizing key problems, proposing solutions, and outlining strategies to implement them effectively. It was an enriching exchange, as participants from different countries shared their nations’ challenges related to SDG 3 and discussed potential solutions while considering their countries’ multi-sectoral contexts. Dr. Obiedo and Mr. Dy served as a facilitator and an advisor, respectively, during the activity.
Overall, the training and conference in Japan not only provided USC representatives with invaluable academic insights but also enabled them to build a professional network with international participants, an advantage for future endeavors.
by Ricky Salem and Rolando V. Obiedo, Ph.D.