Hands On Universe– Morocco

HOU – Morocco

Arabic translation of SalsaJ and its prospective usage in Moroccan

middle and high schools

H. Darhmaoui, H. Bourhrous

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco

Ifrane

Population ~30 millionsIlliteracy ~ 40%Economics new opportunities: FTA with USA and EuropeHandicap: not enough skilled engineers! Gov. project: 10000 eng. By 2010

Established in 1995. Education based on the North American system. Major Research Vocation: R&D that have direct impact on the Moroccan citizens

US National Center for Education Statistics in 2003The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003

Math Physics8th Grade

Analysis of the TIMSS statisics

• Moroccan students are mainly lacking observational and basic data analysis skills.

HOU-Morocco: Claim 1

Astronomy education, so far ignored in the Moroccan science curricula, could be a key learning activity, that would enhance such scientific skills of Moroccan students.

Little Astronomy in the Moroccan Science Curriculum

First acquaintance with astronomy (8th grade physical science course)

Only one chapter entitled “elementary notions about astronomy” (4 pages, no activities) .

• Small introduction about the scope of astronomy and its foundation,

• Difference between a star and a planet, • Characteristics of the planets in the solar

system (moons, diameter, distance from the sun, period and temperature)

• Famous Muslim astronomers.

GHOU-Morocco: Claim 2

• Astronomy could play a major role in increasing youth interest into sciences Making more engineers needed for the economic growth of the country .

What is our opportunity to demonstrate these claims?

National Project “GENIE”: Multimedia rooms in every middle and high school in Morocco (~3000 schools to be equipped, 2006-2009)

R&D Grant to Al Akhawayn University: IT-based education in middle schools (funded by Republic of South Korea – KOICA, mainly equipment) (2006-2007)

IT based educational activities in Science courses (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geology)

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane: Center of IT innovation for Human

Development (CITI)

CITI

Multimedia Classroom

Studio

SW Development Laboratory

2 Pilot middle Schools

Al ArzMiddle School

Kassim AminMiddle School

Multimedia Classroom

Mekness-Tafilalt

Ifrane

Al ArzMiddle school

Al Akhawayn UniversityCenter of IT innovation

For Human Development (CITI) Moroccan Ministry of Education CITI

Fez-Boulmane

Fez

Kassim AminMiddle School

GENIE

MathPCBG

Content DevelopmentAnd CMS

Teachers Training

Testing and Evaluation

CMS

Pre- Evaluation

Testing

Post- Evaluation

7, 8 & 9th grades

CITI Activities: IT based education

Personnel: 10 AUI science faculty members, 24 teachers, 2 education inspectors, 2 principals, 4 full-time SW engineers and technicians

CITI and HOU-Morocco

First activity:

Arabic translation of SalsaJ

Next Steps

Continue prepare for the HOU program (HOU-telescope) in Morocco.

• Actions:– Translate into Arabic: HOU program and

exercises– Train teachers on the use of these programs– Evaluate the impact of introducing pupils to

HOU activities in Morocco

THANK YOU