Introducing the 2020 CASTME Awards recipients
For over 30 years, the CASTME Awards have been recognising and highlighting projects from across the Commonwealth with an educational focus. Run by the Commonwealth Association for Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME), the awards aim to demonstrate the importance of STEM to local environments, communities and schools.
Through our Philip Harris brand, we’re delighted to have sponsored the awards over the past three years. The 2020 awardees were announced at the 2021 ASE Annual Conference by Sir John Holman, emeritus professor of chemistry at the University of York and president of the Association for Science Education. Read on to find out more.
What are the CASTME Awards?
Established in 1974, the CASTME Awards run by CASTME, are focussed on highlighting educational projects from across the Commonwealth and have two different awards available.
The Findel CASTME Education Award is presented to the entry that displays an innovative approach to increasing STEM awareness.
The Findel CASTME Community Awards are presented to two community projects focussed on mothers, carers and the community and STEM education.
A dedicated science teacher giving discarded materials a new life
The Findel CASTME Education Award for 2020 is awarded to the Science Laboratory and Science Museum in Panadura, Sri Lanka. The project, submitted by Sarath Premawardana, uses discarded materials to develop equipment which explains scientific principals and promotes practical activities.
Sarath worked as a science teacher and science advisor in Sri Lanka and upon retiring established the Science Laboratory and Science Museum. This centre helps to provide an opportunity for students to see things with their own eyes and to experiment in order to learn concepts in science more effectively.
The museum comprises of several sections to cover various scientific fields, with the main sections on the history of science, its evolvement over the years as well as biodiversity, geology and evolution.
On receiving the award, Sarath commented:
“I am very happy and delighted to receive the award. It is a great prestige and encouragement for me to continue improving. It will help many more students and teachers in future to broaden their knowledge and skills.”
Here are a few examples of Sarath’s work at the Science Laboratory and Science Museum.
An innovative out-of-school project to popularise science and technology
The first recipient of the Findel CASTME Community Award is Children in Science and Technology (CIST). An offshoot of the Children Science Clinic, CIST is based in Nigeria and is aimed at children aged 5 to 12 years old.
A major focus of their work is running activities and talks with Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), school assemblies and community halls across Ekiti State. They also run out of school activities which involve frequent visits and excursions to small scale and cottage industries to show real world examples of STEM in action.
Another key aim is to raise the level of scientific and technological literacy as well as raising awareness for sustainable national development. The activities focus on social progress which recognises the needs of everyone yet targeting children as agents of societal change.
On receiving news of the award, Professor Ibiyinka Ogunlade commented:
“We are particularly encouraged by the news of the Findel CASTME Community Award. We pledge to continue our efforts and add more zeal in making our children and society at large, scientifically and technologically literate.”
A specialist centre, helping children discover their potential
The final recipient of the Findel CASTME Community Award is the DISHA Foundation, based in Jaipur, India, for their project Making Middle School Science to Spin, Swirl and Sway for Self-Development of Science Education as Action Researcher and Learner-Teacher.
The DISHA Foundation, a centre for special education, was created to provide an opportunity to children with physical and intellectual challenges to help them discover their potential. In particular, their project submission shows that at middle school level, a lot of hands-on science can be done with readily available materials to give a first hand feel of science processes.
On receiving the award, Dr Lalit Kishore commented:
We are delighted to know the recognition of our work by CASTME. The award will inspire us to innovate and individualise science and math instruction.
The 2021 FINDEL CASTME Awards are now open
We’re delighted to announce that we will be continuing our sponsorship of the CASTME Awards for 2021. What’s more, we’re proud to reveal the addition of a new award, the Findel CASTME Protect our Planet Award. This new award is aimed at STEM projects which focus on the sustainable development goals such as Climate Action (SDG13) and Responsible Consumption (SDG12).
As per previous years, the awards are open to nurseries, schools and educational establishments as well as community groups and projects should be focussed on the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The submission deadline for entries is 31st October 2021 and entries should be submitted to kathnugent1@gmail.com and you can find out more information at www.castme.online/awards