*This improvement initiative was under the supervision of peer coaches.
The Science Department at the Lebanese International School had many questions regarding the weaknesses in science as a subject matter and the role of the department in developing the researcher, creative thinker and innovator learner they are looking for. The team made a SWOT analysis, from which they concluded that there is weakness in the scientific creativity that should improve the students’ scientific skills, broaden their comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, and enable them to apply it to real life situations. The team used questionnaires with students of the second, third and fourth cycles to study the impact of science on their daily life. After analyzing the questionnaires, weakness in the scientific creativity of students at all levels was observed. The team also attended the SMEC conference in 2017-2018 at the American University of Beirut, in which the concept of STEM \ STEAM was thoroughly discussed. Hence, the team concluded that the department’s need is to promote creativity and scientific innovation that challenges students’ minds and fosters scientific reasoning and problem solving. The team defined scientific creativity as, Flexibility in integrating knowledge and relating learning to real life situations, and employing mental and technical skills in the production of knowledge and creative work. The science department’s plan for this year (2019-2020) is very similar to the plan of the previous year, with some additions and modifications based on the emerging needs and variables. One of the major achievements of this improvement initiative was contracting with specialized consultants in the field of technology to train teachers on Integrated Science and Technologies concepts and procedures. In addition, a weekly technology class for learners from grade six to grade eleven (grade nine being excluded) was introduced to train them on creativity and scientific innovation.
