“Not everyone has to become a space scientist. If we can use space science as a leverage to get the people interested in science, that’s already a big thing. We consider that mission accomplished.”
Thus said Dr. Rogel Mari D. Sese, a Filipino astrophysicist, at the Science Café held by the Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) during its recent 27th anniversary celebration held at the Science Hall of PSC in Marikina City.
PSC is the Philippines’s pioneer interactive science museum. With the anniversary theme, “Driven@27”, PSC said it represents the continued commitment of promoting science and technology to the public, especially the youth.
Sese said in his talk, titled “Reaching for the Stars”, that space education and astronomy, and having a space agency are beneficial for the nation and the people.
“Everyone goes through the stage of being fascinated with stars. The problem is that the interest is not sustained,” said Sese, the focal person of the National Space Development Program and the “soon to be established” Philippine Space Agency.
He said the study of space science could be used to make the schoolchildren interested in different fields of science—technology, engineering and mathematics.
He cited some of the framework on how the future space agency will work: there should be enough manpower for research and development, and implementation of programs, and linkages between the government with the industry and academe, among others.
In his inspirational speech at the event, Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said over the years the PSC has brought so much fun, excitement and science education to students in the metropolis and in the countryside.
He also recognized the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST), a private foundation engaged in the promotion of science education in the country and the mother unit of PSC, as a valuable and strong partner of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in promoting science consciousness and literacy among students and teachers through the interactive approaches.
De la Peña also commended the PFST board of trustees, officers, management staff and the sponsors for making science more accessible and more interesting.
De la Peña announced that P10-million grant to PFST from the DOST to accommodate 200,000 students and teachers of Central Mindanao and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in visiting PSC’s traveling exhibitions.
The event was graced by members of academe, high-school students in Marikina City, and PFST trustees, officers and staff.
The celebration highlight was the recognition of some institutions and individuals for their valuable contributions to the activities of PFST and awarding them with “scientific” tokens.
The representatives of Riverbanks Development Corp., Children’s Hour, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Unilab Foundation, Wyeth Phils. Inc., EEI Corp., Tan Yan Kee Foundation and the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education received their respective recognition. PFST Chairman Engr. Meneleo J. Carlos Jr., PFST President Engr. Filemon T. Berba, PFST Executive Director May M. Pagsinohin and de la Peña led the awarding ceremony.