BANGKOK - 12 May 2022 - To enhance better educational equality for Thai students and encourage them to acquire good attitudes towards science studies through practical, hands-on experience, Dow Thailand has recently signed an agreement with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) and the Chemical Society of Thailand (CST) to expand the small-scale laboratory from the "Dow Chemistry Classroom" project, which Dow Thailand and the Thai Joint Venture have been jointly conducting with CST for nine years, to schools across Thailand.
The small-scale laboratory enables conducting experiments using small plastic kits and local materials that are easy to source. The approach shortens the duration of experiments and lessens the use of chemicals, water, energy, and waste, due to chemical amounts lowered by 1,000 times from those commonly used in traditional experiments. It is safe, environmentally friendly, less expensive, easier to use, and can be reused multiple times. The experiments can be conducted anywhere without using a high-cost standard laboratory.
The "Dow Chemistry Classroom" has been promoting small-scale chemistry in Thailand since 2013. More than 2,000 teachers from 1,055 schools have already used small-scale kits to teach more than 300,000 students. In the initial phase of this recent partnership, about 100 OBEC schools will start adopting the kits, and there is a potential to expand to all 2,000 OBEC-regulated schools in the future. This will increase the chances of Thai students pursuing science study, which is currently in high demand in the country. It will also play an essential role in developing the workforce's capacity in line with the direction of the labor market and the country's future development.
"OBEC's promotion of this new teaching method will enable many remote schools to access efficient and safe science education fast and concretely. As an incubator of the Dow Chemistry Classroom, we are very pleased that OBEC sees the importance of the "small" laboratory in enabling "big" opportunities for comprehensive and equal education. OBEC will play an important accelerator role which will be highly beneficial in developing Thailand's innovators in the future," said Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, President of Dow Thailand.
"The CST has pioneered small-scale chemistry laboratory techniques in Thailand together with Dow for many years. Our activities include providing knowledge, promoting new techniques in classrooms, encouraging hands-on experimental experience for students, creating a network of role-model teachers, organizing small-scale chemistry laboratory competitions for the past seven years, and promoting this approach in the ASEAN region. CST will act as an academic advisor for this collaboration and provide expert instructors to develop role-model teachers. CST will also take part in the committee to evaluate the collaboration's outcome," explained Prof. Dr. Supa Hannongbua, President of the Chemical Society of Thailand (CST)
"As a governmental agency promoting basic education, OBEC recognizes the importance of enhancing science education. Using small-scale chemistry laboratory techniques in classes aligns with the Ministry of Education's curriculum. So far, studies have shown that small-scale experiments produce the same results as experiments conducted in traditional laboratories and are highly beneficial for learning. The small kits will result in more accessible science classes for Thai students. The opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge is in line with OBEC's policy to enhance the quality of education in the 21st century," said Dr. Amporn Pinasa, Secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). "About 100 schools will be selected to participate in the program during the first year. We will support the cost of experimental kits, equipment, and chemicals used for the training, covering at least eight experiments. Teachers participating in the project will receive the kits and manuals to use in their classes and a certificate for training. Also, teachers can include the training in their portfolio for acquiring academic titles."
About Dow Thailand Group
Dow started its business in Thailand in 1967, then expanded through a joint venture with SCG in 1987. At present, Dow Thailand Group consists of Dow's wholly-owned subsidiaries and SCG-DOW joint ventures. Dow Thailand Group is the largest manufacturing base for Dow in the Asia Pacific, with many manufacturing facilities in Rayong province. Its strategic markets in Thailand are packaging, building and infrastructure, and mobility industries. More information could be found at https://th.dow.com/en-us or the Thai Facebook www.facebook.com/DowThailandGroup/
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company globally. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings, and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in thirty-one countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
For further information, please contact:
Apiradee Poopirom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-3657296 / 081-8026933
Email: papiradee@dow.com
Suttipong Krotintakom
Dow Thailand Group
038-673315 / 081-7919626
Email: skrotintakom@dow.com
Lalida Tidadoldilok
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-3657228 / 089-6687079
Email: lalida@dow.com