Tag: School Visit Activity

Our Visit With SMK Mat Salleh – Day 18 School Adventures

Shelby D FaulknerAgriculture

On Wednesday, July 25, we visited SMK Mat Salleh. This school sits with a picturesque view of the mountains in Sabah. The agriculture program at this school began in 2015 and uses standards set forth by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

When we arrived, we were greeted by dancing students and were immediately taken to the agriculture building. At the building, students greeted us and began explaining their hydroponics and fertigation systems. The students sell the lettuce that they grow and the money is used for classroom expenses. Afterward, we were able to spend time learning from students about soil textures, as well as, making natural fertilizers and pesticides. The students were so confident and I was wowed by their presentations!

After the presentations, we were able to lead the students in an ice-breaking activity. We were able to interact with the students and learn more about them. Afterward, we were served a delicious lunch. Following lunch, we were able to talk with students more. I was fascinated by a sign that I saw outside of a classroom that read, “Every Tuesday is English Day. Please Speak English. Learn English and speak to the world”. I asked the students about this sign and they said that on Tuesdays their teachers will only teach them in English and they are expected to respond in only English. I found that fascinating and wonder what that would be like if we required our students to speak in only Malay one day a week in the United States? I know I would have to practice for hours to be able to teach effectively in a language other than English!

 

I love the entrepreneurial spirit that Malaysian teachers strive to instill in their students. It’s reassuring to me that at the end of the day, even halfway across the globe, teachers are striving to develop the best human beings that they can. Teaching is not an easy profession, but we, as teachers, are all in it together.

 

 

Ms. Shelby Faulkner (@ShelbyDFaulkner) is a third-year secondary agriscience teacher/FFA advisor at Ridgemont HS inMount Victory, Ohio.

Malaysian Fruit Fun Facts: Durian – An Experience from Day 3 in #AgEd2Malaysia

Melissa A GrantFood!

The #AgEd2Malaysia crew was able to conduct their first visit to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Telok Kajang! As part of the visit, the agriculture students were very excited to introduce Durian to the group.

Durian Fruit Quick Facts

  • Regarded by many people in Southeast Asia as the “King of Fruits”
  • Large Size (2-7 lbs)
  • Strong Odor
  • Thorn-covered skin
  • Banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia because of the awful odor (rotten onions)
  • Seeds can only be eaten when cooked
  • Malay language the word Duri means thorn

 

Overall Experience From First Timers

  • Manny Catala (@MCatala35), Junior at Penn State University studying Agricultural Education
    • Thumbs Down.
      • Manny mentioned the fruit was very mushy and appeared to have a rotten texture.

  • Myself (@MGrant8), Agriculture Education graduate from Purdue University and current high school Agriculture Instructor
    • Thumbs Down
      • I also agreed with Manny in regards to the mushy texture, but I believe what made it less appetizing for myself was the onion aftertaste.

 

 

  • Huzimi, fourth-year Career and Technical Education Life Skills at the University ofTechnologyMalaysia
    • Thumbs Down
      • Huzimi had previously tried the Durian fruit several years ago but didn’t like it and wanted to try it again. Huzimi was complaining about his bad breath following our taste test.

 

 

Overall we were glad we tried the Durian fruit once but wouldn’t recommend it to a friend!

 

Melissa Grant (@MelissaGrant8) is a secondary agriscience teacher at Western High School in Russiaville, Indiana.