Pop-up labs let science enthusiasts try out new technologies

Students at the Academic Olympics of the San Pablo Diocesan Catholic Schools System get their hands dirty while they learn and have fun at the Bato Balani Lab.

Students who love science never cease to look for explorative and creative opportunities that are fun and interesting to see how the subject affects their daily lives.

Aware of this limitless curiosity of science enthusiasts and their desire to constantly discover, Diwa Learning Systems Inc (Diwa), the country's leading provider of K-to-12 educational resources, recently launched the Diwa Innovation Lab, a pop-up science exposition that aims to boost interest in science, mathematics, and engineering.

The activities were further enhanced by showing new technologies through the Diwa Innovation Showcase and the master class of Working Science.

The Diwa Innovation Showcase is composed of five laboratories that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Using individual technologies, this feature creates challenges where students can collaborate to come up with solutions.

The Drone Lab showed students how drones work and how the technology can be applied in various fields of study; the Virtual Reality (VR) Lab introduced students to simulated bits of the world or completely imaginary worlds using cell phones and VR goggles; and the Robotics Lab enticed students to create something and program it to do specific actions.

In the Meteorology Lab, participants were taught how to use weather forecasting tools while the Bato Balani Lab featured activities that allow students to create their own science investigatory project.

"The Diwa Innovation Lab reminded me that whatever technology that comes out, we should learn to use it responsibly. In the classroom, it’s more about learning concepts. The Diwa Innovation Lab gave us a hands-on experience, and because of that I am grateful,” shares one high school student.

“It was amazing! I was able to go underwater for the first time. It's different from looking at an aquarium, because you can control where you want to look," says another after visiting the VR Lab.

In Working Science, students learned various topics such as the scientific method and everyday science. This session is a must for every student who wishes to understand the components of an exceptional science investigatory project.

A student from Cebu says that this class is relevant in the coming school year. “It was very interesting. I learned a lot and I know that the discussion will be very helpful for our coming science investigatory project in school,” adds the student.

Double fun for science lovers

The Diwa Innovation Lab launch coincided with the National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp (NYSTESC), an annual gathering of high school students who love science and their teacher-advisers from all over the country.

Organized by the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC), NYSTESC was held in Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel in Lucban, Quezon, and placed a major focus on aerodynamics, weather forecasting, transportation, and animal aviation.

NYSTESC was replete with activities that instill the values of teamwork and friendship, as well as strengthen the participants' commitment in promoting science, technology, and environment. The Diwa Innovation Lab further packed their 4 days with fun and learning.

The Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC), the only national federation of youth science clubs in the Philippines with more than 75,000 active members, organizes NYSTESC. The PSYSC constantly conducts activities and organizes events to promote scientific interests and consciousness among the country’s youth.

The Diwa Innovation Lab made stops at the University of San Carlos in Cebu; Liceo de San Pablo in Laguna; Claret School of Quezon City; Saint Louis University in Baguio City; and First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in Tanauan, Batangas.