At the end of May 2013, Bosscha Observatory hosted the Fifth Advanced International Colloquium on Building the Scientific Mind (BtSM2013). A multidisciplinary community from various scientific, technological and communication backgrounds gathered at the conference in Indonesia to talk about ideas, implementation and their personal experiences in promoting the importance of science for young children.
The key to inspiring children into science is passion. According to Lê Nguyên Hoang, “the fact that facts are facts is, in fact, boring”. This is why we need science communication. The biggest challenge shared by Indonesia and many other parts of the world right now is the education system. It makes students look for instant result instead of enjoying the learning process. So, how do you build an environment that makes students enjoy the learning process? One of the talks at BtSM2013 provided a solution: games. Engaging students within interactive games is a successful way of pushing them to enjoy the learning process. Interactive games can take students on their own mini adventures and challenge them to solve problems themselves.
The meeting itself started off with a splash, as a series of water rockets were launched. The idea behind the water rockets was to demonstrate how simple but exciting experiments can be performed using everyday materials and to inspire creativity in students while stimulating logical thinking through problem solving. The rest of the open day continued in a similar playful manner, with several engaging activities.
Another problem shared by all participants from across six continents is how to motivate young girls to pursue science education. Binta Moustapha shared her three-years study on motivating young girls with the splendour of nature and the beauty of science. At the end of the day, everyone discussed how to solve the challenges address during the conference and it was agreed that the homework, to be done over the next several years, is to put the discussed solutions into action.
BtSM2013 has finished but the Scientific Mind Culture events in Indonesia will continue and regular activities have been planned, to build awareness about science in young children and the wider public.
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