There’s a greater need to blend science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the arts.
The Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs recently hosted the two-day Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Exposition or STEM EXPO at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City, to introduce, provide and highlight scientific solutions to problems of Filipino society and the community.
Forensic scientist Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, who currently heads the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman, delivered the keynote speech to open the event last May 26.
“Scientists must push the boundaries that mark the traditional or conventional solutions to a problem in order to increase the possibilities of finding novel and relevant options for society. Scientists must embrace our innate ingenuity in order to do excellent science,” she said.
“Given the challenges that we have in the Philippines, we must undertake research projects that have a well-defined purpose – strengthen the criminal justice system, discover new drugs, helping our economy by providing new technologies to improve agriculture and industries, protecting our biodiversity and environment, among others,” Dr. De Ungria stressed.
With the theme “Embracing Our Ingenuity, Engineering the Filipino Society,” the STEM EXPO showcased the Filipino youth’s excellence and ingenuity in the “i-Gen: Ideas Generation Hackathon” or i-Gen Ideathon, “i-Gen: Innovations Competition” or i-Gen: Innovation, Science and Mathematics Investigatory Projects Fair, Robotics Olympiad, PSYSC Science Journalism and Science Film Festival competitions.
Saint Louis University-Laboratory Senior High School topped the i-Gen: Ideathon competition with their project entitled “Rice Guardian,” which also got the Best in Presentation and Best Presenter prizes during the awarding ceremonies last May 27. The same school bagged first runner-up for “iOne” while Philippine Science High School-Cordillera Administrative Region won second runner-up for “Agmula.”
The i-Gen Ideathon promotes creative problem-solving and drives innovation in building technological solutions to address specific problems in society among the participants, and provides them with opportunities to network, collaborate, and turn their ideas into products within a definite time frame.
PSHS-CAR ruled the i-Gen: Innovation contest with their project entitled “Wheelduino: An Arduino-Based Smart Wheelchair for Paraplegic Patients,” followed by Pasig City Science High School and SLU-LSH.
The i-Gen: Innovation focuses on innovative and market-oriented products that have the potential to address present and emerging challenges faced by society in the 21st century. Project entries to the competition are grouped into five: Agriculture and Fisheries, Health and Well-being, Energy and Environment, Automation and Machine Technology, and Disaster Mitigation Management.
PSHS-Main Campus led the winners of the Investigatory Projects Fair with their research “Development of an iOS Application for Real-time Spectral Classification of Stars Based on a Convolutional Neutral Network,” which was also awarded Best in Exhibit and Best Presenter. Student researchers from PSHS-CAR and University of Baguio Science High School ended up first and second runners-up, respectively.
The IP Fair is designed to strengthen the science research skills and competencies of Filipino students by promoting a community of young researchers, mentors and experts dedicated to scientific knowledge-building and peer-to-peer review of studies in science and technology.
Meanwhile, PSHS-CAR dominated the Robotics Olympiad, which is both a robotics projects exhibition and competition aimed at promoting the field to young Filipino students and the public, in general.
Winning Best Picture, Best in Cinematography and Best in Musical Score in the Science Film Festival is Tabaco National High School with their film “I Wonder Y,” which emphasized the importance of S&T in solving several issues in the country. Second Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Screenplay went to PSHS-CAR with “Sapantaha” (Presumption), which highlights and promotes gender equality in S&T.
The PSYSC amateur filmmaking competition aims to promote the public understanding of science, technology, and the environment and to express the creativity and critical awareness of young Filipino students in science development and technological advancement through filmmaking.
Last but not the least, Science Journalism focuses on writing, reporting, and informing news and present-day discoveries on science and breakthroughs in technology. It is geared to promote effective communication and critical thinking among young Filipino students and science communicators.
The event also featured an open conference series called “Teknolohiya, Agham, Kalikasan, Diwa at Ako” or TAKDA, which assembled scientists, academicians, researchers, business people, government officials, working professionals, and university students; an exhibition of science, technology, research, and development industry partners; and other activities that mainly cater to senior high school students.
Young science communicator and 2017 Breakthrough Junior Challenge winner Hillary Diane Andales, Seaversity Innovations Chief Executive Officer and President Engr. Ephrem Dela Cerna, Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development specialist Michelle Maramag, Masungi Georeserve Foundation project manager, geotourism advocate and conservationist Ann Dumaliang, Haraya Learning Innovations founder, entrepreneur, and inventor Engr. Paolo Espiritu, advocacy filmmaker and film and communication faculty Seymour Sanchez, World Wildlife Fund Youth member and outdoor photographer Gab Mejia, designer and social entrepreneur Joie Cruz, and De La Salle University Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering associate professor Dr. Argel Bandala were among the resource speakers and workshop facilitators during the event.
“These talks should challenge each one of us—‘Ako’—to use our knowledge, creativity and skills—‘Diwa’—in science and technology—‘Teknolohiya at Agham’—in catalyzing change to help in protecting the environment—‘Kalikasan’—and in nation-building in order to secure the future for your generation and the succeeding generations of Filipinos,” Dr. De Ungria concluded.
Since its foundation in 1971, PSYSC has led the science clubbing movement and the promotion of S&T and the environment to elementary and secondary students in the country. The organization has been conducting positive, stimulating, and engaging activities and programs that enhance not only their academic knowledge but also environmental and social awareness.