First Announcement

1 Website : www.recsam.edu.my/cosmed

First Announcement

Rationale

One of the issues that confront educators today is the concern of educating young minds to meet the challenges in a globalizing world. Many countries are faced with the challenge of preparing citizens who will be able to address global, national and local problems. In this regard, science and mathematics knowledge has become essential as they empower people to usefully apply their knowledge more effectively to solve problems. There is however a need to educate the young so that they can fully utilise the power of science and mathematics. On the one hand, it is our hope to see more children being scientifically and mathematically literate, yet on the contrary we often see children become disinterested in science and mathematics through the way it is taught in schools. This Conference thus aims to bring educators and researchers together to discuss and address issues in improving science and mathematics literacy, developing children‟s ability to think scientifically and apply science and mathematical knowledge for personal benefits as well as those of the community.

Objectives

The objectives of this conference are

1 To provide a forum to review issues, exchange of ideas and share experiences especially on the development of scientific and mathematical literacy at all levels. 2 To review and recognise the integration of ICT to develop science and mathematics literacy. 3 To review and enhance continuous professional development as a means to sustain the development of science and mathematics literacy 4 To encourage the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences of experts working on new strategies to sustain science and mathematics literacy reforms in teaching and assessment. 5 To strengthen professional networking among science and mathematics educators both locally and globally. 6 To maintain professional contacts to enhance cooperation among a consortium of international organisations and educational institutions to facilitate greater dissemination and exchange of expertise at an international level.

Conference Theme

Improving Science and Mathematics Literacy: Theory, Innovation and Practice

Conference Tracks  Innovative curricular and pedagogical practices  Science and mathematics processes  Role of values in science and mathematics education  Continuous teacher development  Authentic evaluation and assessment  Technology as a pedagogical enabler

2 First Announcement Keynote Speakers

Professor Kaye Stacey Foundation Professor of Mathematics Education University of Melbourne

Professor David Treagust Science and Mathematics Education Centre Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies Faculty of Engineering, Science and Computing Curtin University of Technology

Plenary Sessions

In addition to the keynote speakers there will be renowned speakers in the plenary sessions who will discuss issues and innovative practices from around the Southeast Asian region. A special plenary is also being planned to highlight science and mathematics education for children with special needs.

Parallel Sessions, Poster Presentation and Workshops

Papers based on the conference theme and tracks are welcome. Educators who are interested in presenting papers in the parallel session, poster presentation or in a workshop are invited to send in their abstracts not exceeding 500 words by 1 June 2009 and the complete paper before 1 July 2009. All submissions are to be sent to [email protected]

Submission of Papers

The abstract and final paper should use the MS Word document format (.doc), or RTF (Rich Text Format) and should be sent by e-mail attachment. The complete paper should be generally NOT longer than 10 pages on A4 size. The preferred format for abstracts and papers is single-spaced, Times New Roman, font size 12. Please avoid using other fonts or document format. All non-text items in the paper (diagrams, graphics etc) not in MS Word format MUST be sent in separate files, with a clear indication of what software is being used. All papers are to be written using the APA publication guidelines.

Conference Proceedings

All papers received will be peer reviewed. All papers accepted for presentation will be included in the Conference Papers in CD-ROM format to be distributed to all delegates during the Conference. However, only selected papers that are recommended by the paper reviewers will be printed in Conference Proceedings in hard copy.

Registration

Participants may register on-line at http://www.recsam.edu.my/cosmed or use the form provided in the website. Fees will be determined by the date the payment is received. Payments are to be made by bank draft/ telegraphic transfer/ local order made payable to SEAMEO RECSAM. The registration fee will cover admittance to the conference proper, conference facilities, conference programme booklet, conference proceedings, refreshments, lunches and any scheduled reception or banquet during the conference. 3 First Announcement

Early Bird Normal (On or before 10 September 2009) (After 10 September 2009) International participants USD 260 USD 310 International students* USD 220 USD 270 Participants from SEAMEO USD 240 USD 290 countries Students from SEAMEO USD 200 USD 250 countries Malaysian participants RM 530 RM 600 Malaysian students* RM 480 RM 550

*Students are to provide student‟s card or official letter from the university as proof.

Cancellation Policy

 50% refund for cancellation received not later than 15 October 2009  No refund for cancellation received on or later than 16 October 2009  Substitutions will be allowed if authorized in writing by the original registrant and RM50.00 paid as administrative charges  The organizers reserve the right to cancel or postpone the conference

Enquiries

Conference Secretariat e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (+60-4)-6583266/7 Fax: (+60-4)-6572541

Conference Venue

SEAMEO RECSAM Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah 11700 Gelugor

Where to Stay

Hotel Superior Deluxe Executive Deluxe Distance to Single/Twin Single/Twin Single/Twin Conference Venue RECSAM RM 80.00 nett (single) RM85.00 nett In Campus International RM 85.00 nett (twin) (single) House RM90.00 nett (twin) Equatorial RM180.00 ++ RM210.00 ++ RM 240 ++ 6 km Hotel # (single) (single) (single) RM200.00 ++ RM230.00 ++ RM265.00++ (twin) (twin) (twin) Hotel Vistana RM207.00 nett RM264.50 nett 6 km * The rates are subject to change # Without breakfast

4 First Announcement About Penang

Penang is a tropical island resort situated in the north- western tip of Peninsular Malaysia. The climate in Penang is warm with temperatures ranging from 25o C (night) to 33o C (day). Travelling to Penang is convenient via most international airlines.

Historically, travellers have been stopping at the port of Penang to view its natural and cultural attractions, to savour its wide variety of food and to meet its friendly people. In the modern era Penang has become an international beach resort as well as the „Silicon Valley of the East‟. This cosmopolitan state of 1. 5 million people has been welcoming more than 3 million tourist annually. Penang has become one of the most culturally diverse destinations of the East where English is widely spoken and the locals are well known for their friendliness.

The city of George Town in Penang together with Malacca were declared the Historical Cities of the Straits of Malacca in the list of UNESCO heritage sites in 2008. Recently Penang has also been rated second by readers of New York Times in its list of “44 Places to Go for 2009”.

About SEAMEO RECSAM

SEAMEO RECSAM stands for Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization- Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics. Established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) in May 1967, RECSAM is committed to nurturing and enhancing the quality of science and mathematics education in the SEAMEO Member Countries of Darussalam, , , PDR, Malaysia, , , , , Timor Leste and Viet Nam.

RECSAM shares the vast expanse of the campus grounds with the Institut Perguruan Persekutuan Pulau Pinang (Malayan Teachers‟ Institute) in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Gelugor, fringing the city limits of Georgetown, which is the metropolitan capital of the State of Penang. The island state is located in the north-western part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Since its inception, RECSAM, one of its kind in the region which is dedicated to the development of educational manpower, has been playing the role of a catalyst for the advancement of science and mathematics education at the primary and secondary school levels among its member countries. Ever surging forward, RECSAM is now in the midst of its Eighth Five-Year Plan (July 2005 – June 2010) and more than ten thousand key educators have graduated from its training, development and research courses. As RECSAM forges ahead with its programmes and activities, it not only draws upon its reserve of resources and past experiences but also continuously examines the development of science and mathematics education in the SEAMEO Region as well as in the world at large. In keeping with current global trends and developments, RECSAM carries out its science and mathematics education courses in the context of values and needs of changing societies.

5