Faculty Exchange Visits UGA and WMSU visit WVSU during February/March 2004 University of Georgia and Western Mindanao State University Professors Visit West Visayas State University (February-March 2004) One of the goals of the partnersip is to internationalize the science education curriculum in university-based science teacher preparation programs. To attain this end, faculty exchange visits have been scheduled to enable the science educators involved in the project to examine, compare and document models of elementary science teacher preparation, exchange ideas through collaborative research and practice, and strengthen cross-cultural understandings of issues of diversity. On February 16, 2004, the first of the faculty exchange visits started. Six American professors and five Filipino professors visited West Visayas State University (WVSU). The American professors included University of Georgia (UGA) science educators such as Dr. Deborah Tippins (Project Leader), Dr. Carolyn Wallace, Dr. Norman Thomson and Dr. Malcolm Butler. The two other American professors were Dr. Lorrie Hammond of Califonia State University and Dr. Sherry Nichols of the University of Alabama. The five Filipino professors from the Western Mindanao State University were Dr. Ma Nela Enriquez. Dr. Belinda Belisario, Dr. Florentina Lim, Engineer Elsa Saavedra and Professor Sarita Franciso. The faculty exchange visit took place during February and March, 2004. The group participated in team meetings and activities such as qualitative research workshops, and science inquiry practical work seminars. They studied coral reef ecology on Boracay Island, visited the National Mango Research Development Center in Guimaras, spent time at the partner shcools in Antique and Cabatuan, and community immersion sites to name a few. West Visayas State University welcomed the guests in a fitting program and organized a cultural orientation. American professors meet WVSU president, Dr. Lourdes C. Aranador, at the start of the faculty exchange visit. Panayama, the WVSU cultural group, entertaining the guest with local songs and dances during the welcome program The dancing of the tinikling is part of the cultural orientation for the American visitors. The American visitors dancing tinikling, the Filipino national dance and having a marvelous time. Dr. Norman Thomson of UGA interacting with the WVSU professors during the cultural orientation. Dr. Lorrie Hammond of the California State University with the WMSU professors after the welcome program. Tree Planting February 18, 2004 The visiting professors from the United States of America and Western Mindanao State University join the West Visayas State University professors in planting trees within the WVSU campus as part of the clean-and-green campaign. They planted neem trees to reduce the mosquito population. Web Page Designing Dr. Sherry Nichols giving an orientation-lecture to the WMSU and WVSU professors on the mechanics of web page designing Boracay Island Trip UGA and WVSU faculty ride a pump boat on their way to Boracay Island where they studied the local coral reef system. The group taking a break after their study of the coral reef ecology on Boracay Island. Dr. Malcolm Butler going down and exploring one of the caves at the Crystal Cove on Boracay Island. Casay, Anini-y, Antique Trip Dr. Malcolm Butler striking a pose with an Aeta boy de-shelling cashew nuts in Casay, Animi-y, Antique. The Aetas are an indigenous minority group of the Philippines. Dr. Lourdes Morano explaining to Dr. Carolyn Wallace and Dr. Norman Thomson the nature of the Sira-an Hotsprings in Anini-y, Antique. Dr. Malcolm Butler listening to an elementary science teacher at Casay Elementary School use the budyong (local horn) to produce a musical sound. Dr. Norman Thomson trying to place himself in the shoes of a tuba (cocunut wine) gatherer by hanging on his shoulder a pasok (container). The teachers and pupils of Casay Elementary School put up an exhibit showcasing crafts made of local materials for guests to see. Guimaras Island Visit Dr. Carolyn Wallace gets a hands-on experience harvesting mango at the Trappist Monastery on Guimaras Island. Dr. Malcolm Butler closely studying the pawikan (tortoise) at their nesting sites in Lawi, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island. Community Visits The American guest trying to capture the local residents' way of life in Santa Monica, Ofon, Iloilo. A tuba gatherer shows how it is to collect tuba (coconut wine) from a coconut t tree during a certain hour of the day. Community Immersion in Iniligan, Badiangan Dr. Malcolm Butler shows off a bamboo internode used for cooking binakol (native chicken dish). The three-kilometer trip to Paraiso (Paradise) in Iniligan, Badiangan of Drs. Norm Thomson and Malcolm Butler aboard a carabao and carabao-driven sled. The carabao-driven sled ride must have been an enjoyable experience as shows in the faces of Dr. Lorrie Hammond, Dr. Carolyn Wallace and Dr. Deborah Tippins.carabao-driven sled. Dr. Norman Thomson befriending the carabao, the beast of burden and the Filipino farmer's best friend. Dr. Hammond and Dr. Wallace having a great time with their morning bath in a public deep well. Visit to the Special Education School Dr. Thomson interacting with elementary pupils at the School for Exceptional Children in Iloilo City, Philippines. Dr. Malcolm Butler and Dr. Norman Thomson of UGA addressing a class of gifted children at the Special Education school in Iloilo City. Talingting National High School, Carles, Iloilo Dr. Deborah Tippins and Dr. Norman Thomson exchange ideas with high school teachers of Talingting National High School in Carles, Iloilo. Drs. Norman Thomson and Deborah Tippins facilitate a science lesson for students at Talingting National High School. Send-Off Party The send-off lunch for the members of the UGA visitors.