Dow Launches Science Idea Sharing Scheme among Thai-ASEAN Teachers to Excite Young Scientists

BANGKOK - February 08, 2019 - Dow Thailand Group continued its chemistry learning initiative through the “Dow Chemistry Classroom” project to enhance the proficiency of Thai teachers across the country by creating an ASEAN teachers’ network to give impetus to approaches to teaching science that will inspire young generation in each country in the region to enter the field of science.

Prof. Dr. Supawan Tantayanon, Immediate-Past President of the Chemical Society of Thailand and Director of Dow Chemistry Classroom said Dow has recently joined hands with the Chemical Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Prof. Dr. H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn Walailak to hold another “Dow Chemistry Academy” workshop under the Dow Chemistry Classroom project, an initiative to improve Thai teachers’ proficiency in teaching Science. 83 teachers from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia joined the project. The teachers had the chance to exchange ideas and opinions on better quality science teaching methods which can be further developed and adopted in various places where the young generation can be stimulated to study science.

At the workshop, the small-scale laboratory kit that was given the “Dow-CST Award” was demonstrated. The kit helps develop scientific thinking and gives schools opportunities to do new experiments that will inspire both Thai and foreign teachers. The workshop included a seminar on “Joyful Science Communication for the Young Generation”, which was aimed at setting up an area where teachers, scientists and other communicators have opportunities to exchange their ideas on improving science teaching methods.

“Learning through small-scale laboratory techniques is one of the most recognized methods of teaching science in many countries, including England, Germany, Australia, Japan and China. If we apply these learning techniques in Thailand, they will help support the sustainable use of chemicals and can help cut costs by more than 90%. This will also help reduce waste, which is in line with environmentally friendly standards or “Green World”. In addition, teachers will be motivated to conduct new investigations that may lead to advances in science,” said Prof. Dr. Supawan. “Thai teachers joining the scheme can bring learning points from the project back to their schools to inspire other teachers across the country as well as contribute to the success of the project by passing on the new chemistry teaching techniques to students. This will help the young generation to have fun studying science and develop understanding that will stir their interest in science and inspire them to become new scientists.”

Through the “Dow Chemistry Classroom” project, Dow Thailand Group has been lending support by donating the small-scale laboratory kits for use in the classroom since 2013. This has produced 5 generations and 77 role-model teachers from schools nationwide who have joined the project over the years. The result has been an improvement in scientific learning that is encouraging young Thai people to enter the field of science and increase Thailand’s competitiveness and push the country forward.

Mr. Potisak Potisen, a chemistry teacher at Strisrinan School and one of the project’s fourth-generation teachers, said this scheme challenges and inspires them to develop new teaching methods. It stimulates teachers to think out of the box when using the kits to develop new areas of learning while doing experiments in the classroom. It is the way to develop a new workforce of scientists ready to meet the needs of “Industry 4.0” and the “Learning by Doing” method that can be further developed in the future to improve the proficiency of both learners and teachers.

About Dow Thailand Group
Consisting of the companies of Dow Chemical Thailand and the SCG-Dow Group, Dow Thailand Group, the leading science group of companies in Thailand, is the largest manufacturing base of Dow Chemical in the Asia-Pacific region and a leading importer of chemical products for diverse industries in Thailand, including those for agriculture and household pesticides. The group is committed to developing science-driven innovations and strives to form effective collaborations and networks to bring about sustainability for its business as well as society.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines one of the broadest technology sets in the industry with asset integration, focused innovation and global scale to achieve profitable growth and become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of performance materials, industrial intermediates and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for our customers in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 113 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,000 people. Dow delivered pro forma sales of approximately $50 billion in 2018. 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.

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