Training of Trainers on Skills Enrichment Techniques for Faculty Members of FMIPA-IPB

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Bogor Agricultural University (FMIPA-IPB ) through SAInS program, in collaboration with CEES Columbia University and under the funding support of USAID, organized theTraining of Trainers workshop on "PengayaanKeterampilanTeknikBagiDosen FMIPA = Skills Enrichment Techniques for Faculty Members". The Workshop was  held in Fablab STEM Instruction Resource Center on Thursday – Friday, 27-28 March 2014. On this special occasion, three faculty members from eight departments under FMIPA-IPB were sent as their representatives for the workshop. The eight Departments under the FMIPA-IPB were as follows: 1. The Department of Mathematics; 2. the Department of Physics; 3. the Department of Chemistry; 4. The Department of Biology; 5. the Department of Computer Science; 6. the Department of Statistics; 7. the Department of Biochemistry; and 8. the Department of Geomet. The workshop was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of IPB, Dr. Ir. Sri Nurdiati, MSc. "The objectives of this workshop were to provide opportunities for faculty members and students to learn how to use the Fablabfacilities as their media for conducting their research programs and enriching their technology knowhows" she said. Another staff of FMIPA-IPB, IrMeuthiaRachmaniah, M.Sc. in her introductory remarks stated that the workshop was designed to improve the quality of FMIPA-IPB as a center of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. To begin with, theWorkshop was preceded by the presentation of Rebecca Johnson about learning pedagogy.

In the workshop, the participants were divided into four groups, and each were given opportunity to operate the four available laborataroytools in Fablab, namely 3D Printer, Vinyl Cutter, 3D Scanning and Milling Machine and Laser Cutter. In addition, for  participantswho want to plan research project utilizing a sensor and microcontroller, the Organizing Committee provided Ardunio Kits. Tooperate these tools correctly, each group was guided by the FablabAssistant. In principle, the workshop was highly interactive. The participants seemed very enthusiastic and curious to try out all the available tools. Some of the participants, even continue to do their lab works despite the facts it was break and lunch time, and they extended their stay in the lab though the training time was over.

On the second day of the workshop, the participants learned how to formulate the use of Fablabplanning for teaching and research program in the FMIPA IPB. Dean of the FMIPA IPB in her remarks in the second day stated that Fablab FMIPA-IPB is open to support teaching and research program. "We are very happy if this Fablabwill be utilized maximally" she said. The discussion on the second day went well. Every participant of those Departments seemed so excited in utilizing the Fablab facility. Hopefully this workshop will be able to improve the quality of teaching and research program, especially in the FMIPA-IPB.(Wied).