Mrs. Abeer Badran, principal of Al Teereh Secondary Girls’ School, has found a unique and creative way to unleash the students’ imagination, unlock their potential and improve their skills in math and science by creating an exciting and interactive learning environment. The story started with a neglected ground floor storage room, utilized only as a repository for old, unused materials. Mrs. Abeer envisioned a future for that space and decided, with the help of her teachers, to turn it into a math and science club by using the equipment donated by USAID through the Model Schools Network (MSN). This would enable students to explore a new kind of learning experience. 

Through the USAID-funded Model Schools Network (MSN) Program, implemented by AMIDEAST, teachers are investing in the resources available and using their newly-acquired skills to activate new teaching and learning approaches in math and science.

 

 

“We invested in the equipment the Model Schools Network Program provided,” said Mrs. Abeer. “Our teachers are now using the netbooks and LCD to screen extracurricular information. The students just love the idea and can’t wait to go to that room and interact with their teachers.” This small project also drew the parents’ attention.  As the children shared stories about the photos and videos they saw in the math and science club, their parents visited the school to express their profound gratitude for this creative.  “Parents loved the idea and were very happy about it,” said Mrs. Abeer. “They communicated this during the meetings we held and they enthusiastically reported their kids’ attraction to the idea.”

Amjaad Salameh, a math and science teacher, was one of those who believed in the power this new approach could have on the students.  Mrs. Amjaad noticed the huge change in her students’ participation when holding classes downstairs in the math and science club. ”After we got the new equipment from AMIDEAST, we decided to use it the right way and we established this club in cooperation with Mrs. Abeer,” stated Mrs. Amjaad. “I use the netbook to navigate the internet, locate other resources and bring them into class. Imagine how sometimes one photo can save you time and effort and do the job for you. The students are very attracted to the idea and I am able to be more productive, especially after being involved in the Model School Network trainings, where we learned how to be creative in our teaching methodologies.”

“We saw a video about animals and learned about pets and predators. It was fun,” Nabeel, a third grader, eagerly said, when asked about the science classes in the club room. Nour, his classmate, was also fascinated by this simple room.  “We like it very much,” she noted.  “We want to always have science classes in here.  Our teacher has shown us many nice photos on the screen.”

The idea of the math and science club has been a great success in Al Teereh Secondary Girls’ School and other schools participating in the Model School Network Program, such as Zahrat Al Maad'aen Basic School in Jericho and Saffa Basic Boys’ School in Ramallah. Teachers are investing in the resources available and using their newly-acquired skills to activate this new teaching and learning approach in math and science. Other teacher teaching other subjects are also anticipated to soon follow the same path that leads to a better education and brilliant students.