Calling all students looking to improve maths, science and English

 

PETALING JAYA: While the world has been living with the pandemic for over a year now, its impacts on Malaysia’s education sector can still be seen.

Nationwide school closures forced students to attend online classes, a move the Association of Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI) said has presented a series of problems for the nation’s younger generation.

ASTI is now inviting all Year One to Form One students to join the education programmes under its two-year recovery plan, known as the ASTI Recovery Project (ARP). It aims to “help students get back on their feet” after a turbulent academic year taken over by Covid-19.

Based on feedback from parents, teachers and students, it noted that many were previously unable to effectively learn due to a lack of devices, internet connectivity and conducive learning environments at home.

“Peer-to-peer learning – one of the most important components of the learning process – has been reduced to almost zero in 2020.

“Thus, no matter how effective online learning was, the lack of student-to-student interactions has made learning difficult and sub-optimal,” it said.

ASTI’s first three programmes under the ARP consists of:

ASTI Progressively Learning and Understanding Science (A-PLUS)

• A series of one to three-day workshops focusing on experiments and hands-on activities to help students learn scientific concepts and principles.
• Focuses on understanding, rather than memorising and examinations, to help students progress into the next academic year with ease.
• Covers science modules in the Malaysian syllabus from Year One to Six and Form One.
• Register here: https://forms.gle/6WGaGifrr6Vt6w2S9

ASTI STEM Academy (ASA)

• A portal for Year One to Six students to conduct regular self-assessments and test their level of understanding in science and mathematics.
• Assessments will come in the form of quizzes, available in English and Tamil (more languages to follow).
• Test results will be provided for students, teachers and parents to decide on better learning strategies moving forward.
• Register at https://astistemacademy.com/ to start using the portal for free.

Special Programme for English Enhancement and Development (SPEED)

• Targets Form One students and their transition into secondary school, a time where many still face difficulties with the English language.
• The programme involves 30 contact hours of online learning per English level, three times a week.
• SPEED is provided by the Direct English International Language Centre with a discounted rate of RM800 for each student registered through ASTI.
• The brochure and contact details can be found here.

For further information on the ARP and ASTI’s future programmes, visit www.asti.org.my/recoveryprojects. Enquiries may also be directed to asti2510@gmail.com or on WhatsApp at 014-7124217. - FMT