https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120664 2026-04-21T02:15:18Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143466 Title: The physical educator and physical literacy : exploring connections Abstract: Physical literacy (PL) is closely related to daily life activities. Individuals lacking PL tend to avoid not only regular physical activity (PA) but also everyday tasks. PA plays a crucial role in promoting health benefits and is a central element of PL. Moreover, quality Physical Education (PE) is believed to be the most effective path towards developing PL in children from a young age, integrating the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of an individual for lifelong benefits. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and roles of primary PE teachers on the concept of PL, as well as look into how the local curriculum supports PL. Subjective perceptions of eight teachers were captured via semi-structured interviews. Teachers appreciated and acknowledged the lifelong benefits of PL, emphasising the importance of fostering this concept in children from a young age through meaningful PE lessons. Key factors highlighted included exposure to various fundamental skills and sports, fostering enthusiasm in lessons, teacher engagement, feedback, and empowerment. Despite the guidance provided by the curriculum, concerns were raised about its regular changes, which led to inconsistencies. Suggestions were made to increase the number of PE lessons and continuous professional development (CPD) sessions, as well as accentuate teacher involvement in decision-making processes. Description: MTL(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143465 Title: From shore to horizon : a guidebook for Maltese secondary school Geography option coastal fieldwork Abstract: The practice of watching and gathering information about people, cultures and the environment is known as fieldwork. Students and researchers are able to study how scientific ideas interact with reality through fieldwork, giving importance and value to both social – people, culture and society, and natural sciences – biology and chemistry (National Geographic, 2022). To ease the fieldwork process, a guidebook would be the ideal resource in which information will be gathered. A guidebook is defined as a book that provides useful knowledge on a certain location (Cambridge Dictionary, 2023). This is done by providing an agenda, guide and even aide-mémoire for the documentation of the themes being researched (Burgess, 1984). Taking into consideration such benefits, creating a guidebook aimed at coastal fieldwork as part of the secondary school Geography option curriculum, serves as a good resource to be taken onto the field, especially since such topic covers both social and natural sciences, included in both human and physical geography. Such guidebook is a creative and innovative idea to include on site as it will include concise, relative and effective information which will be easily accessible on the field. Additionally, to make it more student friendly and hands-on, exercises to be completed on site by the pupils themselves will also be included to enhance experiential learning – the active involvement of learners in situations or activities that result in the acquisition of information or skills (Yount, 2001). The provision of useful information and relevant exercises all combined into one resource is what makes such guidebook a resourceful guide that helps enhance the experiential learning activity that fieldwork provides. The guidebook will be produced by taking into consideration the latest updated Learning Objectives of the topic ‘Rocks, Karst Landscapes and Coastal Processes’ – LO3, specifically Coastal Processes, and also the Fieldwork Learning objective – LO10 (Matsec, 2025). Therefore, such guidebook will be produced in preparation for the Geography Matsec syllabus, aiding Geography option students in Years 9, 10 and 11 with an age-appropriate resource for an amplified experience of learning on the field and that will eventually be useful for recall as well. Description: MTL(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142152 Title: The lived experiences of transgender inmates at Malta’s Correctional Service Agency Abstract: This qualitative research study examines the daily struggles of trans and gender diverse (TGD) inmates in Malta, set against the backdrop of the country's progressive equality laws. The objective is to explore the challenges faced by these inmates through their personal experiences. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with both former and current TGD inmates within Malta's Corrections Service Agency (CSA). This study’s cohort of participants interviewed was from the last 25 years. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data gathered (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Four key variables emerged as likely explanations for the obstacles TGD inmates encounter during and after incarceration: healthcare concerns, legislative issues, knowledge and education gaps, and aspects related to postrelease life. The analysed findings are presented through two creative non-fictional narratives (Clough, 2002), which meticulously and ethically capture the significance of the experiences of TGD inmates at Malta’s CSA. This study highlights the heteronormative binary assumptions that have traditionally dominated the practices, policies, and procedures within this institution of confinement. It identifies how operational aspects can lead to the social alienation of TGD individuals. The research findings indicate a lack of synchronisation between the CSA culture and national Maltese legislation, underlining the need for significant improvements to ensure the equal treatment of these vulnerable and socially marginalised individuals. Consequently, due to an enriched understanding of these elements, the study aims to put forward concrete proposals and measures, including training for staff, policy reforms, and increased support services, to ensure an environment at CSA that is respectful and protective and that dignifies TGD inmates, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Description: M. Access Ed.(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/133785 Title: Domestic solar panel cleaning system Abstract: The performance of solar panels is greatly affected by their cleanliness, which directly impacts their ability to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Any obstruction that reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panel surface can reduce its efficiency. However, maintaining clean solar panels can be challenging, especially for those installed on high roofs, which are difficult to access and clean regularly. The goal of this research is to develop a practical and affordable solution to keep solar panels clean and maintain their maximum performance. Previous studies have shown that an automated cleaning system is effective in maintaining cleanliness for large-scale installations that required significant labour hours when done manually (Bose & Modi, 2020; Engineering, 2023). Such industrial systems are not practical for domestic areas. Therefore, this project aims to design a reasonably priced solution that can cater to domestic areas and help individuals keep their solar panels as clean as possible without risking their safety by reaching for panels on high roofs. The research will focus on designing and building a robotic-based cleaning solution. The study will propose a practical solution that is cost-effective, easy to use, and accessible to homeowners to maintain clean solar panels. Description: B.Sc. (Hons) TDT (Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z