The Masbate City Division, in partnership with DOST-Science Education Institute, the Department of Education-Regional Office 10 and Bicol University, organized an online regional training titled “Design Thinking in Kinder and Grade1 Science and Mathematics Teaching” on September 27-30, 2021. One hundred twenty-six kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers from the public elementary schools in the division participated in the four-day activity which was held via Zoom. The training aimed to promote the Design Thinking mindset to Kinder and Grade 1 teachers by letting them experience the Design Thinking process in a series of workshops.

The training is part of the DOST-SEI’s Project Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR). Masbate City Division trainers served as resource persons and workshop facilitators: Remy Joyce A. Vinas, Evangeline R. Agao, Maribeth D. Abejuela, Janet Z. Dumangas - EPS 1-Mathematics, and Jemnah A. Macabe, EPS 1-Science. The participants received certificates of completion. They are expected to have their training outputs finalized and be used as enrichment material within the division.           

The City Division of Masbate organized an online training titled “Division Online Training on Design Thinking in Grades 2-3 Science and Mathematics Teaching” on November 9-12, 2021.

One hundred seventy-two, Grade 2 and Grade 3 teachers from the eight districts of the public elementary schools in the division participated in the four-day activity which was held via Zoom. The training aimed to equip participants with the skills on the application of the design thinking process in developing and creating a prototype of Project UNA (Unfolded Non-Traditional Activities) in teaching Science and Math, and to promote the Design Thinking mindset to Grades 2-3 teachers by letting them experience the process in a series of workshops. Besides making the teachers design thinkers, the training likewise intended to promote Design Thinking amongst Grades 2-3 learners. To do this, the participants were tasked to develop lessons in Science and Mathematics following the project UNA guide that incorporate the principles and processes of Design Thinking. 

Learning materials serve as major learning resource for learners, and quality learning materials help students learn effectively. With a systematic quality assurance mechanism in each stage of design, development, and production, this ensures of high-quality learning materials for use independently.

As a follow-through to the Online Training conducted on Design Thinking, a 3-day workshop activity was conducted to help teachers develop UNA Materials following the correct template/format and produce quality-assured digital copy of learning materials.  

The activity was conducted last March 29-31, 2022 at MNCHS Library, Masbate City participated in by Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers. The day started with the registration of 31 participants from different schools of Masbate City Division, followed by the opening program hosted by Maribeth D. Abejuela, the proponent of Project UNA. The orientation proper was given by the Division EPS in Science, Madam Jemnah A. Macabe, while CID Chief Sir Noel D. Logronio gave a message who inspired everyone to actively participate in the workshop.

After the opening program, a re-orientation on the format and main parts of UNA Materials was thoroughly discussed by the Division Planning Officer Remy Joyce A. Vinas. This was presented through a pre-recorded video.

On the third and last day, showcase of the final outputs was concluded through a gallery walk to uncover UNA. Teacher-editors had the opportunity to discuss and display their final work, share their thoughts, and got some feedbacks from CID group.  

A short program completed the three-day workshop with SDS Fatima D. Buen who shared nuggets of wisdom emphasizing the importance of UNA materials to the learners. She also left a challenge, and words of inspiration and encouragement as she marked the closing of the event. Assurance of commitment was also given by Ms. Joanna Rose G. Fernandez who represented the participants group and Ms. Maribeth D. Abejuela for the facilitators group. This was followed by the awarding of certificates to facilitators, participants and to the people behind making the event a successful one.