Stars and STEM Stories
Bahrain Equips New GLOBE Teachers through Methodical Training
GLOBE Bahrain hosted many noteworthy events in 2012, beginning with a two-fold training workshop to teach new GLOBE teachers integration methods for using scientific protocols in their classrooms.
Phase One brought together 39 teachers from various grade levels at the GLOBE Centre for Earth Science and Renewable Energy on 2 October 2012. The workshop covered GLOBE atmosphere investigations, introduced by a lecture given by Ebrahim A.Ali Bu Hussain, Senior Environmental Specialist for the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment, and Wildlife, titled "The Impact of Atmosphere and Phenomenon of Dust in the Kingdom of Bahrain."
Following a virtual presentation by GLOBE Trainer Seema Hussain Al Ammri and Hanan Ebrahim Al Sedoon, GLOBE Teacher from Al Hidd Secondary Girls School, participants
worked together in groups to answer questions applying the inquiry method through GLOBE atmosphere protocols. Teachers were asked to form their own hypotheses regarding the cause of atmospheric issues cited in the presentation. They then had the opportunity to practice research methods using renewable energy kits and protocol instruments. The instruments were introduced in conjunction with the Xplorer GLX, a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool that is used as a means of evolving technology within GLOBE trainings in Bahrain.
Trainees conducted their research activities at different stations in the Ministry of Education field around the GLOBE Centre Campus led by GLOBE leaders including Wafa Bin Daynna, Ebtisam Al Khuzai, Sediqa Abbas, Sabreen Al Rahma, A. Amir Jaffar, Fatima Ebrahim Al Shakhoori, and A. Hameed A. Fatah.
Phase Two, held on 9 October at the same location,
brought together new GLOBE teachers from multiple grade levels, as well those trained in the phase one workshop. The workshop began with a lecture entitled "The characteristics of the water in the Kingdom of Bahrain" presented by Senior Environmental Specialist from the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, Eng. Hassan Marzooq.
GLOBE Master Trainer Sediqa Abbas Ghuloom introduced GLOBE hydrology protocols along with Fatima Ebrahim Al Shakhoori, GLOBE teacher from Hamad Town Secondary Girls School. The workshop focused on understanding the Earth as a system by drawing connections between training phases, sharing best practices and providing tools for group facilitation. The groups developed their own hypotheses and had the chance to practice new strategies with renewable energy kits as well as GLOBE hydrology protocol instruments. Following the workshop, a virtual presentation was presented by Chemical Engineer Wafa Al Ruwai, titled "My Project, step-by-step."
Phase Three of the workshop was held on 23 October and hosted 45 teachers who attended the prior two phases. This phase introduced phenology and soil protocols beginning with a workshop led by Ebrahim Jaffar, Senior Plantation and Irrigation Specialist from Plant Wealth Directorate from the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Agriculture Affairs. The workshop, "Bahraini Soil: Problems and Solutions," provided trainees with real-world application of GLOBE protocols. A discussion followed, providing teachers with ideas on how to effectively implement the curriculum they learned during training. To practice these methods, teachers were divided into groups and visited five different stations for a more hands-on encounter with the material.
Prior to the training events, on 23-26 September, Al Areen Palace hosted retired U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist Dr. Abdul Hye for a series of presentations. Dr. Hye visited the Kingdom of Bahrain to share his knowledge from unique opportunities exploring the frontiers of space. He shared his experience in space technology, photos taken from space and many stories with more than 1,200 GLOBE students of all ages, GLOBE leaders and other academics. Dr. Hye developed life science experiments using an oil-free compressor refrigeration system. The system was utilized in several space missions to study human bone loss, cell development, and long-term impacts of space habitation. Dr. Hye recently retired from NASA after 28 years, throughout which he received numerous awards and certifications. "Dr. Abdul Hye shared brief highlights from his own career path inspiring the young generation of scientists in the Kingdom of Bahrain to continue devoting themselves to GLOBE for hands-on science experimentation," stated Wafa Mubarraq Bin Daynna.
Dr. Hye's visit was supported by the Crown Prince Court, the Ministry of Education, Southern Governorate, the Ministry of Justice and Islamic affairs, the Bahraini Astronomical Society, the University of Bahrain, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Works, and the Supreme Council for Women Development Bank.
Read more GLOBE Stars from Bahrain:
GLOBE Bahrain Students Develop "Sense of Place" in 7th Annual Green Walk
GLOBE Students in Bahrain Learn the Importance of Land Cover Research
Students in Bahrain Attend Inaugural GLOBE Girls' Science Camp
30 November 2012