Asean Museum Forum 2024

Museums are evolving dynamically to align with their changing roles and responsibilities, which strive to address new societal expectations for an inclusive society. Thailand faces multiple economic, social, environmental, and educational crises. The National Science Museum (NSM), as a learning center for science, technology, and the environment, has policies aimed at directly and indirectly mitigating these issues, particularly educational inequality and unsustainable resource use leading to biodiversity loss.

This action research project is a collaboration between NSM and stakeholders, including small school administrators, teachers, and community leaders in Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga Province. It aims to tackle the shortage of science learning materials and specialized teachers. The project promotes creative education using a thematic approach based on local settings, linking activities to elementary-level science curricula. This method emphasizes the development of students' analytical thinking skills in line with science learning standards. The project also mentors teachers in utilizing natural resources as teaching materials, focusing on low-budget, practical learning activities that positively impact student achievement. Additionally, the project educates community leaders and tourism groups on biodiversity issues. This information serves as a crucial tool for promoting and enhancing existing natural capital for economic tourism value while raising awareness of environmental challenges stemming from infrastructure development, such as the bridge connecting Koh Yao Noi and Yao Yai.


			Presenter	Suchada Khamha, Ph.D.
			E-Mail	suchada@nsm.or.th
			Affiliation	National Science Museum Thailand
			Contributors	-
			Date/Time	13-09-2024 / 13:40-14:40 hrs.
			Room	LE CONCORDE BALLROOM

Presentation Title	Natural Capital: The National Science Museum's Role in Promoting Creative Educational Activities and Fostering Understanding and Interest in Biodiversity within the Context of Community Resources
Abstract	Museums are evolving dynamically to align with their changing roles and responsibilities, which strive to address new societal expectations for an inclusive society. Thailand faces multiple economic, social, environmental, and educational crises. The National Science Museum (NSM), as a learning center for science, technology, and the environment, has policies aimed at directly and indirectly mitigating these issues, particularly educational inequality and unsustainable resource use leading to biodiversity loss. This action research project is a collaboration between NSM and stakeholders, including small school administrators, teachers, and community leaders in Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga Province. It aims to tackle the shortage of science learning materials and specialized teachers. The project promotes creative education using a thematic approach based on local settings, linking activities to elementary-level science curricula. This method emphasizes the development of students' analytical thinking skills in line with science learning standards. The project also mentors teachers in utilizing natural resources as teaching materials, focusing on low-budget, practical learning activities that positively impact student achievement. Additionally, the project educates community leaders and tourism groups on biodiversity issues. This information serves as a crucial tool for promoting and enhancing existing natural capital for economic tourism value while raising awareness of environmental challenges stemming from infrastructure development, such as the bridge connecting Koh Yao Noi and Yao Yai.
Biography	Suchada Khamha, Senior Researcher at the Office of Natural History Museum Academic Affairs, National Science Museum Thailand has extensive experience in various projects, including a creative tourism development project for sustainable conservation and utilization of natural resources based on biodiversity and geology in the Koh Yao Noi and Yao Yai areas, Phang Nga Province. Sub-research project on Fossil Sites and Geology, part of the Biodiversity Research Project on plants, animals, and fossils in Satun Geopark. Research project developing a local curriculum on wildlife in the Thungyai and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, focusing on science education for elementary school students and Thai Dinosaur Capsule Toy Project: An innovative approach to enhancing paleontology learning.