The main activities of the Division Science and mathematics are;
1. Commemoration of World Science and Mathematics Day
2. Practice villages in the municipalities.
3. Dissemination of Information About UNESCO Global Geopark
4. Astronomy Training
1. Commemoration of World Science and Mathematics Day
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural, Communication, and Information Organization (UNESCO) have declared in resolution 20/UNESCO 31C the commemoration of World Science Day (WSD) on 10 November each year. This event is considered to play a significant role in promoting science to the global community. In addition, it also introduces to the community some important roles of scientific research related to leadership decisions. Therefore, the commemoration of World Science Day (WDS) is a good opportunity to involve the community and academics to discuss and debate in public some scientific issues related to global problems. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Global Science for Global Well-being.”
Science plays a fundamental role in improving global well being by developing solutions to the challenges facing the world. Global science is the foundation for achieving global prosperity. Through collaboration, scientists can develop sustainable solutions to global problems, such as public health, climate change, food security, and economic opportunities. Timor-Leste, as a country that is also part of the world, needs to prepare its new generation to compete and collaborate to find solutions to global problems that also affect people’s well-being.
2. Knua pratika (KP) iha munisipiu 9 mos ho laboratóriu sentrál ka knua sentrál ba prátika (KSP) iha Dili..
The KP pilot program will be implemented in 10 municipalities, such as Ainaro (EBC. Venancio Ferraz), Baucau (EBC. No. 1 Vila Nova), Bobonaro (EBC. No. Maliana), Covalima (Suai) EBC. 1, 2, 3 Ladi, Dili (EBC. 30 de Agosto), Manatuto (EBC. Vasco da Gama), Viqueque (EBC. Cabira oan), Manufahi (EBC. Babulo), Lautem (ESG. Nino Conis Santana, Lospalos), and Liquiça (ESG. Liquica Huu Isso Lara Iso).
The KP location is a space to store materials from the results of the Science and Mathematics Group (GSM), Teachers Working Group, and other activities related to these two areas. The location must be inside or near a school. Various practical objects can be stored and mounted inside, for example: iron, microscopes, small exhibits, models of body systems, models of geology, chemistry, and astronomy, along with various used materials that can be used for practice.
If the right place is not available, you can start with a temporary place, then rehabilitate a place to move to. KP should be open to all teachers in the municipality, at any level, who are interested in practicing and learning science and mathematics. All teachers can be involved, and teachers can also bring their students to access the KP site.
3. Dissemination of Information About UNESCO Global Geopark
Geopark is an innovative concept of sustainable development that applies to territories or areas that have global geological heritage value (geoheritage). Geopark is an acronym that comes from the English language, with its meaning “Geological Park,” meaning Geological Garden or Garden of the World. Territories or areas that are full of various geological resources such as minerals, rocks, fossils, geological structures, and landscapes that have global aesthetic value (outstanding), including archaeological, ecological (flora, fauna, ecosystem), and cultural aspects (as the traditional heritage of our ancestors), have the great advantage of being a geopark. On the other hand, local authorities together with the local community actively play this important role in protecting and developing the functioning of these natural heritage sites.
4. Astronomy Training
Students, teachers, and the Timor-Leste community recently observed the total solar eclipse and lunar eclipse in Timor-Leste. This phenomenon has had a huge impact on our communities, especially on our students; this increases their curiosity about the phenomenon. Many comments and arguments were shared and debated ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. Before the eclipse took place, many people did not believe this would happen. Finally, they saw and observed for themselves. The SESIM team worked hard to share all information related to the solar eclipse with its Practice Village staff and students.
The SESIM team will work with ITERA, specializing in astronomy, with the benefit of sharing stories; the National University of East Timor (UNTL) from the Department of Physics; a community science workshop from Salinas, California, USA; the National Institute of Teacher Training and Education Professionals (INFORDEPE); and the municipal education director. The ITERA and SESIM team will work to create learning materials with general concepts of astronomy, meteorology, navigation equipment such as GPS, sextants, and sky observation using telescopes, and introduce other Android applications, such as SKY-MAP, etc. The SESIM team will translate materials into local languages and link them to the national curriculum, provide more training, provide learning materials, and also increase the activities of each practice village after the workshop.