Science educators concluded 6th National Convention

The 6th National Convention of the Association of Science Teachers and Educators of the Philippines Inc. (ASTEP) was concluded last April 15-17 at the Capuchin Retreat House in Lipa City, Batangas.

With the theme, “Articulating Standards in Testing and Evaluation of performance”, the convention aims to enrich understanding of the UBD focusing on the evidence of learning/assessment aligned with the desired results and outcome. Moreover, it also aims to relate science teaching to the culture and tradition of a community.

The convention, on the other hand, also includes a one and a half days of seminar workshop and one and a day educational tour to provide the participants with a hands-on experience. It was also participated by a large number of Science school teachers and educators, and some selected Science students from the different provinces in the country.

President Elma Pedregosa of ASTEP was in-charge of the participants and program (0905-294-3727, elma41441@yahoo.com, astep_2003@yahoo.com).

Farming Merged with Robotics at 2009 National Robotics Competition

The 2009 National Robotics Competition (NRC) was held at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia last October 23-24, 2009.

The contest was open to all Filipino students between 9-18 years old (born before Nov 1, 1991). Any type or brand of Robot, or custom-built automaton, was allowed for the competition.

The tournament was divided into two categories: open, wherein students were tasked to create a presentation based on a theme; and regular, where students were tasked to build a robot designed to battle in a “sumobot” match.

With the theme “Agribots in the City,” this year’s open category revolved around the farming cycle and possible activities in Philippine setting where technology and robotics can be applied. Students were tasked to construct two robots that “will do tasks that represent harvesting, sorting of grains, storage, transporting to market, feeding of animals, and switching of irrigation and biogas.”

The mainstay “sumobot” competition, aptly described as the “wrestling of the robots,” had a simple premise: to push the opponent robot out of a makeshift dohyo (sumo ring). Robots battling in the sumobot match must not weigh more than 500 grams, and must not exceed dimensions of 15 cm by 15 cm.

Around 80 teams participated and competed for the prize award of representing the country in the 11th International Robot Olympiad (IRO 2009) held at Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea, last December 17-20, 2009. Students from Makati Science High School emerged as winners in the “open” category. All top-prize winners received cash, plaques and robot kits.

Pasay City Mayor Wencaslao “Peewee” Trinidad graced the opening of the competition.

Coinciding with the 2nd NRC were several seminars conducted by the organizers. PRGF conducted a free robotics workshop featuring robotics inventions and robotics competitions by the private and public high schools in the whole country, and student delegates from other Asian countries.

GCI arranged a Seminar Series for I.T. Educators and Robotics Workshop, which centered on various Science, Technology and ICT programs.

A wide range of participants joined in the seminars – from students to parents and I.T. teachers. The seminars were free of charge but pre-registration was required. Among the workshop topics were:

• Technology Tools for Schools
• Opening your school to Open Source Technology
• Fashion 101 for Teachers
• Robotics in Schools - patterned after the Singapore style
• Using Microcontrollers in Science Experiments
• English Teaching and Learning Technology
• Hotel System for HRM Schools
  

The 2nd National Robotics Competition was organized by the Genetic Computer Institute (GCI), INEX Singapore, Nido Science Discovery Center, SM Mall of Asia, Honda and the Pinoy Robot Games Foundation (PRGF) and sponsored by GENETIC Infoservices Corporation, Innovative Experiment (INEX), Nido, and the following media partners: Manila Bulletin, TV5, Yehey!.com, Jam 88.3, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT , and 103.5 Max FM.

For more information about PRGF, email info@pinoyrobotgames.org or visit www.pinoyrobotgames.org.

2009 Visayas Island Invention Exhibit Festival Winners Announced

The Department of Science and Technology together with the Technology Application and Promotion and Institute (TAPI) and the Visayas Inventors Association (VIA) formally announced the winners of the 2009 Visayas Island Invention Exhibit Festival last October 4, 2009 at the Ayala Activity Center in Cebu City.

With the theme “Inventions: Responding to Global Challenges”, the event aims to promote the innovativeness and creativity of Visayan inventors.

Four entries won among the seventeen (17) official entries coming from the different parts of the Visayas regions. First and second prize was awarded to Engr. Noro S. Camomot for “Joyski-The Motorcycle Driven Jet Ski” and “NJ8-The Noro Wave Power Barge” while Mr. Jesselito V. Baring’s “Cyclonic Grease Stripping Column” got the third place for the Creative Research Category (Likha Award).

For the Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award), first prize was given to Mr. Mark Jay Rivas from the University of San Carlos for “Sagassum as a Ceramic Flux in Conserving Energy”.

Prizes include P15000, P10000, and P5000 for the first, second, and third with certificates of recognition plus the chance to qualify for the upcoming 2009 National Invention Contest in November 16-20, 2009 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

Other qualifying entries for the 2009 National Invention Contest include: Cyclone 5-The Multi Stage Package Type Smokestack, NJ6-The Floating Cottage with Wave Power Generator, Modular Furniture Segment, and Plastic Biodiesel Home Brewer.

For more information contact the DOST Region 7 office at (6332) 232-86-32 or visit their website at www.ro7.dost.gov.ph

Medical Experts Gathered for PSDBP 5th Biennial Convention

Expert in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics from all over the country met last August 31 and September 1, 2009 at the Mandarin Oriental Suites in Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City for the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (PSDBP) 5th Biennial Convention.

Consistent with its main objective to promote the science and art of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the event carried the theme, Developmental Disorders: Challenging and Controversial Issues Across the Lifespan”. The event also serves as a channel to present challenging and controversial developmental and behavioral issues across the lifespan.

Topics include “The State of the Disabled Child in the Philippines: Challenges and Opportunities”, “The Hypotonic Infant: Approach to Diagnosis and Management, “Feeding Problems and Dysfunctions in Infants with Developmental Disorders”, The Hyperactive Toddler: Drawing the Line Between Disorder and Normal Temperament”, “The Toddler with Specific Language Delay: Distinguishing Between Developmental Lag and Disorder”, “The Medicated Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Child in School: Issues and Practice Guidelines”, “Social Skill Deficits of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Regular School”, “ The Wrath of Math: Helping Children Overcome Math Difficulties”, “The Teen with ADHD: Drawing the Line Between Disorder & Co-morbidities”, “Sexuality & Reproductive Health Issues of Adolescents with Developmental Disorders”, and “Mentally Challenged Teen: Life After School”.

For more information about the event, contact Dr. Stella Guerrero Manalo, PSDBP Registration Officer at (632) 633 – 6686, (63926) 432-5147, or visit their website at http://www.psdbp.com/