The Evolution and Current Status of STEM Education in Thailand: Policy Directions and Recommendations

In 2010 a pilot project called “Little Scientists’ House” at the kindergarten level was launched in 221 schools (LSH 2014) (see Chap. 1). This project involves cooperation between the Haus der Kleinen Forscher Foundation in Germany and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation that coordinates with six Thai partners, namely, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Science Museum (NSM), the Nanmeebooks Publishing Company Limited, and the German engineering B.G rimm Company Limited. The first four are government organizations, while the last two are private companies. The model emphasizes hands-on science activities based on children’s daily lives. The equipment used in the experiments are cheap and are mostly available in schools or at home. The process involves a series of training modules starting with the core trainers, then to local trainers who in turn train school teachers. In this way the project can be expanded expeditiously with a built-in monitoring and evaluation system. After 1 year a school can apply for an evaluation and is awarded the Royal Plaque of Honor with a “Little Scientists’ House” sign on it to be posted at the school if it meets the criteria for quality and excellence. The certificate plaque expires in three academic years, after which the school has to reapply for the evaluation again to get a new plaque. The project has been expanded from 221 schools in the first year to about 14,000 schools/child centers in the fifth year. The activities motivate the children a great deal, and the plan is eventually to strengthen primary education STEM beyond the kindergarten level. This project should cover all kindergartens by 2017.

In 2010 a pilot project called “Little Scientists’ House” at the kindergarten level was launched in 221 schools (LSH 2014) (see Chap. 1). This project involves cooperation between the Haus der Kleinen Forscher Foundation in Germany and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation that coordinates with six Thai partners, namely, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Science Museum (NSM), the Nanmeebooks Publishing Company Limited, and the German engineering B.G rimm Company Limited. The first four are government organizations, while the last two are private companies. The model emphasizes hands-on science activities based on children’s daily lives. The equipment used in the experiments are cheap and are mostly available in schools or at home. The process involves a series of training modules starting with the core trainers, then to local trainers who in turn train school teachers. In this way the project can be expanded expeditiously with a built-in monitoring and evaluation system. After 1 year a school can apply for an evaluation and is awarded the Royal Plaque of Honor with a “Little Scientists’ House” sign on it to be posted at the school if it meets the criteria for quality and excellence. The certificate plaque expires in three academic years, after which the school has to reapply for the evaluation again to get a new plaque. The project has been expanded from 221 schools in the first year to about 14,000 schools/child centers in the fifth year. The activities motivate the children a great deal, and the plan is eventually to strengthen primary education STEM beyond the kindergarten level. This project should cover all kindergartens by 2017.

In 2010 a pilot project called “Little Scientists’ House” at the kindergarten level was launched in 221 schools (LSH 2014) (see Chap. 1). This project involves cooperation between the Haus der Kleinen Forscher Foundation in Germany and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation that coordinates with six Thai partners, namely, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Science Museum (NSM), the Nanmeebooks Publishing Company Limited, and the German engineering B.G rimm Company Limited. The first four are government organizations, while the last two are private companies. The model emphasizes hands-on science activities based on children’s daily lives. The equipment used in the experiments are cheap and are mostly available in schools or at home. The process involves a series of training modules starting with the core trainers, then to local trainers who in turn train school teachers. In this way the project can be expanded expeditiously with a built-in monitoring and evaluation system. After 1 year a school can apply for an evaluation and is awarded the Royal Plaque of Honor with a “Little Scientists’ House” sign on it to be posted at the school if it meets the criteria for quality and excellence. The certificate plaque expires in three academic years, after which the school has to reapply for the evaluation again to get a new plaque. The project has been expanded from 221 schools in the first year to about 14,000 schools/child centers in the fifth year. The activities motivate the children a great deal, and the plan is eventually to strengthen primary education STEM beyond the kindergarten level. This project should cover all kindergartens by 2017.