The National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development is a research unit and an extension arm of the University of the Philippines attached to the College of Education whose goal is to raise the level of teaching and learning of science and mathematics in the Philippine educational system.

VISION

A regional center of research and development advocating quality science and mathematics teaching and learning at the basic and teacher education levels.

MISSION

UP NISMED, as an extension arm of the University of the Philippines Diliman in science and mathematics education, commits to:

  • Conduct research in science and mathematics education;
  • Develop and disseminate research-based science and mathematics curriculum materials;
  • Develop and implement innovative and research-informed programs for teachers and teacher educators in science and mathematics;
  • Develop and implement emerging programs that will promote science and mathematics literacy among the citizenry; and
  • Provide research-based inputs to policy formulation in science and mathematics education.

Research and Extension Agenda for 2023-2027 

Contribution to the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education

NISMED, then called Science Teaching Center (STC), was the first curriculum research and development institution to develop and publish textbooks appropriate for Filipino students and real-life contexts. Its first generation textbooks with accompanying teacher’s guides (1964 to 1973) were adaptations of American and British-developed materials in keeping with research studies that learning is facilitated if objects of study are familiar, relevant, and occur in the immediate environment. It also developed sourcebooks focused on Philippine resources (e.g., Plants of the Philippines).

Due to its leadership in curriculum development and research, STC was renamed the Science Education Center (SEC) in 1967 and made a permanent unit of the University of the Philippines in 1969 by the Board of Regents with an additional budget from the Science Fund under Republic Act 5506. The Act also decreed that “appropriate texts and materials produced and published by the Center” be prescribed as textbooks in public schools. In the mid-70s, it was designated as the Curriculum Development Center for Science and Mathematics under the World Bank-funded National Textbook Project to develop elementary and secondary textbooks and teachers’ guides in science and mathematics. These so-called second generation textbooks came out in the ’80s. The funding included a grant of a building to house SEC staff.

SEC also served as the lead agency in a network of Regional Science Teaching Centers supported by UNICEF and the National Science Development Board (now the DOST-SEI) under the Science Education Development Project which built up faculty and facilities of institutions within the network. The number of institutions in this network grew through the years and many have recently become centers of excellence in their part of the country. NISMED continues to receive requests for technical and human resource support from these institutions.

Parallel to the development of research-based curriculum materials, NISMED conducts professional development programs to orient science and mathematics teachers on the use of the materials and to impart a learner-centered, hands-on philosophy through strategies that develop higher-order thinking skills on the part of students as they construct the science and mathematical concepts themselves.

NISMED continues its important functions as a curriculum research and development and extension unit of the University, disseminating its publications through its teacher training programs at the national, regional, division, district, and school levels as well as in its public lecture series.

Due to its capabilities in research, curriculum development, and teacher training, NISMED was selected in the late 80’s by the Japanese and Philippine Governments to be the Project Manager of the National Learning Resource Center for Teacher Training in Science and Mathematics, a package-type grant from Japan which included construction of the Science Teacher Training Center building and a hostel, complete with equipment and furniture. The NISMED complex soon after became the venue for the Science and Mathematics Education Manpower Development Project (SMEMDP) through which NISMED staff underwent training under Japanese experts and in turn conducted national training programs for participants from all the regions of the country.  Through this project (1994 to 1999) another bountiful crop of sourcebooks, posters, improvised equipment, and nonprint materials were produced by NISMED. The practical work approach to teaching science and mathematics, exemplified by hands-on, minds-on and hearts-on activities for the learner, was widely promoted and disseminated by NISMED through this project.

To this day, NISMED leads in introducing unique and innovative programs for the betterment of science and mathematics education in the country. This is accomplished through its research-based print and nonprint materials and its professional development programs. The latter have been conducted on-site to reach the teachers in their own communities and through mentoring and collaborative schemes that build mastery of concepts and skills, as well as confidence and empowerment.

Awards Received

For five decades, UP NISMED has engaged in research, curriculum development, teacher training in science and mathematics education, and extension work and has been recognized and awarded the following:

  • Finalist, 2nd Parangal para sa Programang Pang-ekstensiyon ‘Mga Yunit na Di-nagkakaloob ng Digri’ (2017) for UP NISMED’s Go Teacher Go! which aired over DZUP 1602
  • Finalist, Gawad Pangulo for Excellence in Public Service (2016) for UP NISMED’s KaSaMa Teachers Online Community
  • Winner, 1st Parangal para sa Programang Pang-ekstensiyon ‘Mga Yunit na Di-nagkakaloob ng Digri’ (2016) for the KaSaMa Teachers Online Community
  • 2014 Best Radio Science and Technology Program for Go Teacher Go!, 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards
  • 2008 Gawad LIDER for Exemplary Leadership-Institutional Category by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) in recognition of its consistent demonstration of leadership qualities in “the pursuit of an idea and a performance that generated nationwide impact on public interest in the field of science education”
  • 2006 Best Educational Program-Radio for “Titser’s Iskul on the Air: Third Course” aired over DZMM in the radio program, Bago Yan Ah!, Catholic Mass Media Awards
  • Designation of  NISMED by DOST-SEI as the National Center for Research and Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education (2005)
  • 2001 Gawad Chanselor sa Pinakamahusay na Yunit sa Gawaing Ekstension
  • 1996 Gawad Chanselor sa Pinakamahusay na Yunit na Pansaliksik at Pang-Ekstensyon
  • 1984 Outstanding Extension/Community Service Award by the President of the University of the Philippines