The Maltese Association of Science Educators (MASE) has been established by 15 science teachers reading for a master’s degree in Science Education at the University of Malta.

A meeting of the association was held at the Coastline Hotel. Over 100 science teachers, including lecturers, subject coordinators, teachers from state, church and independent schools and also student teachers, attended, clearly indicating the need science educators have for such an association and their willingness to form part of, and contribute to, the scientific community as a group of professionals.

The event was opened by St Aloysius College physics teacher and MASE president Dario Pirotta, who emphasised the importance of making science more relevant in the lives of students, thus enabling them to be informed decision-makers later on in life.

The second speaker was Education Ministry curriculum director Ray Camilleri, who spoke about the importance of such an association.

University of Malta senior lecturer Paul Pace was another guest speaker. Dr Pace stressed the challenges, threats and opportunities faced by science teachers when they encounter changes and what the possible reactions to such changes are.

Tano Bugeja, from Lily of the Valley secondary school, gave an overview of the association’s website, www.mase malta. com, and said the aim of the website was to act as a link between science teachers in the primary, secondary and post-secondary sectors.

The sponsors of the event were OnVol, HSBC (Malta), GasanMamo Insurance, Tumas Group and Agenda Bookshop.