International Conference on
Science Education in Asia and the Pacific
28~29 November 2007               Bangkok, Thailand

The opening ceremony was presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the education minister. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made a congratulatory speech which well represented a deep national interest in the international event.  The opening ceremony was followed by plenary lectures.

Three parallel sessions were held on 28~29 November 2007. Topics of the sessions are:
      Session I: Best Practices in Science Education
      Session II: Science Teacher Education
      Session III: Role of Science Academies and Societies in Science Education

Session I and II consisted of eight keynote speeches and four invited lecturers, and a total of 44 papers were presented including 19 oral presentations and 13 poster presentations. Successful cases and challenges of science education in high schools and universities were presented along with suggestions for improvement. Session III was co-organized by AASA and FASAS, and IAP Science Education Program. Objectives of the session are as follows:
i. To promote participation and collaboration of Science National Academies and Societies in the Asia Pacific region in science education activities
ii. To generate regional program on science education in Asia and the Pacific jointly organized by AASA and FASAS which can collaborate with other similar programs in the Americas, Africa and Europe and with global initiatives that IAP Program is undertaking.

This session was attended by Focal Point Persons from 17 countries, FASAS Council Members, AASA Board Members, IAP Science Education Program Coordinator and other interested parties.

Full program of Session 3 is attached as Annex 1. The program is divided into few sub-sessions including presentation of the IAP Science Education Program, Reports from respective academies and societies on science education programs carried out by them and discussion on activities of the Regional Science Education Program of Asia and the Pacific.

Prof. Allende, the Coordinator of IAP Science Education Program gave a presentation on IAP Science Education Program. He highlighted activities of science education program under the IAP at the global level as well as activities being carried out under the Science Education Program at other regions including Europe, Africa and Americas.

Focal Point Persons (FPPs) from 17 countries presented their papers on Role of Science Academies and Societies in Science Education in their countries.

During the session, presentations and discussions were made on the status, issues and improvement measures of science education.  All the participants agreed to the necessity of faithful efforts to promote and improve science education globally against the current trend among students of shunning science and science education in spite of the vital role of science and technology in national development.     

The last sub-session of Session III was devoted to discussion on the Asia Pacific Region Science Education Program as well as its activities and project. Items agreed during the discussion are as follows:
i. The Asia Pacific Region Science Education Program jointly organized by FASAS and AASA under the umbrella of IAP Science Education Program is officially launched.
ii. Dr. Soon Ting Kueh, FASAS Project Director who is also AASA Board Member to be the Coordinator of the FPPs of the Asia Pacific Region Science Education Program.
iii. FPPs are members of the program representing their academies and societies.
iv. It was agreed that the program will focus its project on science education at school level only.
v. Project for the Asia Pacific Region Science Education Program in 2008: 'Primary Connections' program proposed by the Australian Academy of Science

'Primary Connections' program, which has been implemented in Australia with support from the ministry of education and science, was designed to provide science and technology education and training to primary school teachers so that they can timely and effectively disseminate the up-to-date knowledge of fast developing science and technology to their students.  According to the decision, upon approval of the Australian government, AASA and FASAS member academies will be notified to proceed to select teachers to participate in the program and dispatch them to Australia.  The result will be reported at The Second International Conference on Science Education in the Asia-Pacific.

The 2nd Conference on Science Education in Asia and the Pacific will be held on 16 October 2008 in Ankara, Turkey, in conjunction with the AASA's　General Assembly and Board meeting, and the FASAS Council meeting.

Attachment: Program of the conference