IPST, partners aim to find 'most sustainable family'
An international market giant and a Thai educational institution have come together in a bold scheme to "empower young people - and their families - to make a difference".
Henkel (Thailand) and the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) – an independent agency under the Education Ministry – have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote sustainability in selected schools under the National STEM Education Network.
The two organisations are also collaborating on a national initiative to organise "Thailand’s Most Sustainable Family" Facebook contest.
"Through our collaboration with Henkel, we are able to promote the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] educational projects," Dr Pornpun Waitayangkoon, IPST president, said.
The ultimate ambition of the union, she said, was to "integrate the topic of sustainability in our science curriculum at an early stage and empower young children to make a difference. "At the same time, ‘Thailand’s Most Sustainable Family’ contest aims to get every member of the family involved in shaping a sustainable future for Thailand," she added.
Henkel, meanwhile, hopes to play an active role in promoting sustainability in Thailand. "Every company and every individual can contribute to a more sustainable future through his or her behaviour. Our objective is to educate young children and families about simple, daily actions that are effective in conserving the environment. Additionally, we are glad to support the STEM Ambassador programme by giving career talks in schools," Tim Petzinna, president of Henkel Thailand, said.
IPST is responsible for the development of a national curriculum, educational media and tools, standards and quality assessment for schools in Thailand as well as the development of STEM ambassadors under the STEM Education Project.
Henkel employees, who are trained as sustainability ambassadors, are encouraged to visit schools and teach students the meaning of sustainability and how they can take the three basic steps – reduce, reuse and recycle – in their homes. To date, more than 80 per cent of Henkel’s managers in Thailand are qualified sustainability ambassadors.
In May and June, they visited the Darakam and the Sainamthip schools in Bangkok and taught around 150 children.
In the coming months, Henkel sustainability ambassadors will visit another three schools, namely, AnubalPibulwes, Anubal Chon Buri and Wat U-tapao.
After the lesson, each student receives a certificate, recognising them as "Sustainability Champions". In order to ensure continuity of learning, Henkel encourages the students to put into practice what they learned and encourage their family and friends to make more sustainable choices.
The Thailand’s Most Sustain-able Family Facebook contest aims to inspire families to adopt a sustainable behaviour in their daily lives.
The household with the biggest reduction in electricity and water bills in the months of July and August, and the best video, photos or stories will win. The winners will enjoy a three-day, two-night stay at the Bangkok Tree House. The first and second runners-up will receive recognition certificates. The contest runs until September 15. Visit www.facebook.com/ThailandMostSustainableFamily.
