At the National Science & Technology Week 2018, a showcase of Pinoy scientific brilliance

Despite heavy and intermittent rains over the past week, the recently concluded National Science and Technology Week 2018 (NSTW) was a tremendous success.

Held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay from July 17 to 21, this year’s NSTW bore the theme “Innovation for Collective Prosperity.” Science enthusiasts of all ages, and representatives from various private and public sectors gathered to appreciate the fruits of various research projects in the Philippines, learn more about the different industries and products supported by the country’s science and technology initiatives, and witness Filipino scientific ingenuity in action.

Science for the people

Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officially kicked off the five-day celebration during a short program with government officials and members of the press. The opening program coincided with the formal opening of the various science and technology booths and exhibits in the main hall.

The opening ceremony also served as the formal launch of a new initiative from the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC). The new program, called EPDC as Platform for Inclusive Innovation and Collaboration Program (EPIIC), aims to improve the EPDC’s capacity to provide support to companies, schools, and government agencies in terms of designing, prototyping and testing of electronic products.

After the ceremony, Philippine science high schools were given specialized lenses for mosquito identification, as part of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE) led by the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The GLOBE initiative involves providing powerful, low-cost technology and tools for U.S. embassies, with the aim of getting students and citizen scientists to work with NASA on its various regional, global, and space campaigns.

Show and tell

The main exhibit area was divided into different sections, which showcased present and upcoming science and technology innovations at home, at school, in the workplace, and in agriculture, as well as opportunities for scholarships and financial assistance from DOST and its partner agencies.

Some of the highlights of the exhibit were 1:1 scale models of the Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 microsatellites and the Maya-1 cube satellite, a flight simulator with Filipino-developed components, and the OneSTore hub, which featured products from local small and medium enterprises.

The public was also invited to participate in the test runs of the DOST-MIRDC’s Hybrid Electric Train, which ran from PNR-EDSA Pasay to PNR Dela Rosa and back.

Apart from the exhibits, veterans and subject matter experts in various science and technology-related fields also conducted talks and workshops in the function rooms over the course of the event.

Students, media practitioners, and stakeholders from different industries learned more about the current state of science and technology in the country, gained a deeper understanding of some of the research projects featured in the exhibit, and honed their skills in science journalism and photography. — LA, GMA News