https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84427 2026-04-04T21:18:11Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84612 Title: Frank Ventura : reaching for the stars with a passion for science and education Authors: Chetcuti, Deborah A.; Buhagiar, Michael A.; Musumeci, Martin Abstract: This book is a tribute to Frank Ventura: our teacher, mentor and colleague. It includes a selected collection of his writings that illustrate some of the major contributions that he has made in his work as a scientist, as an academic, and as a researcher. The idea for the book originated during one of the first departmental meetings of the newly set up Department of Mathematics and Science Education within the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. All members of the department had in some way been taught, supervised and mentored by Frank Ventura. We therefore agreed that putting together a selected collection of his writings would be a fitting celebration of someone who had inspired and motivated us and played an important role in our professional lives. Since this was a job that could not be carried out by all members of the department, the three of us (Deborah, Michael and Martin) were given the task to work with Frank Ventura, gather together a collection of his papers, select the texts and produce a publication that would acknowledge the major impact of Frank Ventura in the fields of science and education. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84798 Title: Foreword Abstract: This book is a tribute to Frank Ventura: our teacher, mentor and colleague. It includes a selected collection of his writings that illustrate some of the major contributions that he has made in his work as a scientist, as an academic, and as a researcher. The idea for the book originated during one of the first departmental meetings of the newly set up Department of Mathematics and Science Education within the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. All members of the department had in some way been taught, supervised and mentored by Frank Ventura. We therefore agreed that putting together a selected collection of his writings would be a fitting celebration of someone who had inspired and motivated us and played an important role in our professional lives. Since this was a job that could not be carried out by all members of the department, the three of us (Deborah, Michael and Martin) were given the task to work with Frank Ventura, gather together a collection of his papers, select the texts and produce a publication that would acknowledge the major impact of Frank Ventura in the fields of science and education. [excerpt] 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84797 Title: Frank Ventura : a man with a vision for science education Authors: Chetcuti, Deborah A. Abstract: The first time I met Frank Ventura, or Professor Frank Ventura as he was to me at that time, was in his office at the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. We were three student teachers embarking on a new career path, excited, a bit scared and perhaps unsure of ourselves. Frank Ventura would be the one who would accompany us on our journey of becoming science teachers. But who was Frank Ventura and why would he become such an integral part of my personal and professional development as a science teacher, a science educator and researcher? Ventura was first and foremost a scientist, having trained as a chemist at the University of Malta and then continuing with his studies in the United Kingdom. But his love and passion for science made him want something more and this led him to his career in teaching and later on in teacher education. He taught science at primary and post -secondary levels, and his own practical experience in the classroom made him an ideal person to educate future science teachers. At the time when I joined the Faculty of Education, he was in fact the only academic member of staff involved in the teaching of science pedagogy. [excerpt] 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84748 Title: Frank Ventura, as I know him... and some of his works Authors: Vella, Alfred J. Abstract: I have known Frank Ventura since we first worked together in 1975, both teaching Advanced level Chemistry at the Upper Secondary School in Valletta (Evans Building). My liking and respect for the soft-spoken teacher were immediate; his evident passion for his work was infective. Frank moved to the University from the sixth form before I did in 1987 and we had occasion to work together again, this time him at the Faculty of Education and me, after a short stint in Pharmacy, in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science. When MATSEC Examinations were set up in 1991, we both got involved for many years with Chemistry school syllabi and examinations, especially the Advanced Matriculation Chemistry. On several occasions, as we struggled with the construction and testing of new items for the practical examination, we would experience in the laboratory prep room moments of joy alternating with depths of despair when experiments designed to produce specific results simply failed to perform as planned. [excerpt] Description: Alfred Vella currently serves as Rector of the University of Malta. He is a professor of Chemistry and has lectured at the University of Malta since 1987 where he teaches mainly in the area of environmental chemistry. Having taught Chemistry at all levels, he also participates actively in the syllabus design and development of Advanced and Intermediate Matriculation Chemistry. He is also regularly requested to act as court forensic expert in judicial inquiries on chemical accidents, fire and explosions and acts as a consultant to government on environmental and scientific matters. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z