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Science Education in the Philippines

The Philippines is trying its best to improve the state of science education in the
country. One of the strategies is to establish science schools that will encourage students to
pursue their career in science and technology and to nurture their gifted potentials in science.

The Concept of Science Education

Science education focuses on teaching, learning, and understanding science.

 Teaching science involves developing ways on how to effectively teach science. This
means exploring pedagogical theories and models in helping teachers teach scientific
concepts and processes effectively.
 Learning science includes both pedagogy and the most interesting aspect, which is
helping students understand and love science.
 Understanding science implies developing and applying science-process skills and
using science literacy in understanding the natural world and activities in everyday life.

Getting deeper into the discourse of science education, John Dewey (2001) stressed the
importance of utilizing the natural environment to teach students. Accordingly, nature must
indeed furnish its physical stimuli to provide wealth of meaning through social activities and
thinking. It is not surprising therefore that science education is important.
In fact, Marx (1994) opines that science is going to be one of the most important school
subjects in the future.

Importance of Science Education

Science education is justified by the vast amount of scientific knowledge developed in
this area that prepares citizens in a scientifically and technologically driven world.
Science education provides skills and knowledge that are necessary for a person to live
in what Knight (1986) describes as the age of science and to develop a citizenry that will meet
the goals of science in the society (Tilghman, 2005).
Therefore, developing a SCIENCE CULTURE is an immense responsibility for schools.
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Science education in BASIC and TERTIARY education

BASIC EDUCATION
Science education helps students learn important concepts and facts that are related to
everyday life including important skills such as: process skills, critical thinking skills, and life
skills that are needed in coping up with daily life activities (Chaille & Britain, 2002).
Science education also develops positive attitudes such: love for knowledge, passion
for innovative things, curiosity to study about nature, and creativity (Lind, 1997).
Science education will develop a strong foundation for studying science and for
considering science-related careers in the future. This is an investment for the country to
develop a scientifically cultured and literate citizenry.

TERTIARY EDUCATION
Deals with developing students’ understanding and appreciation of science ideas and
scientific works. This is done through offering basic science courses in the General Education
curriculum. It also focuses on the preparation of science teachers, scientists, engineers and
other professionals in various science-related fields such as engineering, agriculture, medicine
and health sciences.
The state also provides scholarships to encourage more students to pursue science
courses.

SCIENCE SCHOOLS in the PHILIPPINES

One outstanding program for science education supported by the government is the
establishment of science schools in various parts of the country. There are also several
government programs implemented by the Department of Education and few private schools
for science education.
• Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS)
• Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project
• Quezon City Regional Science High School
• Manila Science High School
• Central Visayan Institute Foundation
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Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS)

• government program for gifted students in the country.

• under DOST, offering free scholarship for the secondary course with special emphasis
to science subjects.
• with end view of preparing its students for a science career (RA No. 3661)
• provides a dormitory for students.
• continues to pursue its vision to develop Filipino science scholars with scientific minds
and passion for excellence.

Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project

• in pursuant to DepEd Order No. 73 s. 2008, and DepEd Order No. 51 s. 2010. started in
2007 with 57 identified elementary schools as science elementary schools in the country.
• SSES Project aims to develop Filipino children equipped with scientific and
technological knowledge, skills and values.
MISSION:

 Provide a learning environment to science-inclined children through a special

curriculum that recognizes the multiple intelligences of the learners;
 promote the development of lifelong learning skills;
 foster the holistic development of the learners.

The subject Science and Health is taught in Grade I with longer time compared to other
subjects
70 minutes for Grade I – III and 80 minutes for Grade IV to VI.
Curriculum also utilizes different instructional approaches that address the learning styles
and needs of the learners like the use of investigatory projects.
Quezon City Regional Science High School

• established on September 17, 1967

• originally, it was named Quezon City Science High School.
• turned into a regional science high school for the National Capital Region in 1999.
• curriculum is focused on science and technology.
• additional subjects in science and technology that students should take.
• venue in providing maximum opportunities to develop spirit of inquiry and creativity.

Manila Science High School

• established on October 1, 1963 as the Manila Science High School (MSHS).

• first science high school in the Philippines.
• the organization and curriculum puts more emphasis on Science and Mathematics.
• aims to produce scientists with souls.
• Humanities courses and other electives are included in the curriculum.
• encouraged to participate in various extracurricular activities.

Central Visayan Institute Foundation

It is the home and pioneer of the prominent school-based innovation known as the Dynamic
Learning Program (DLP). DLP is a synthesis of classical and modern pedagogical theories
adapted to foster the highest level of learning, creativity and productivity. The school takes
pride in its Research Center for Theoretical Physics (RCTP) establish in 1992, which
organizes small international workshops.

Science education deals with the teaching and learning of science and in helping the public
develop science literacy. This is important in the promotion and development of science and
technology in the country. Science education deals with the development of people in science,
which is the heart of science, technology and society.
Major Development Programs in Science and Technology in the Philippines

Doppler Radars
PAGASA installed its first Doppler weather radar station in Baler, Aurora and another
in Baguio. It was built to further improve weather forecasting capability and disaster risk
reduction in the country, four Doppler radars, which could measure the rain volume, and
two flood forecasting and warning centers have been completed last 2017. Doppler radars
enable weather forecasters to not only detect the presence of storms, but also allow them to
determine storms' distance, speed, and directional movement. This is done by sending out radio
waves and "listening" to how the waves are changed after they are reflected back by a storm.
The extent of Philippine RADARs is 200 km from the station covering 360 degrees,
with a spatial 1 km2. A typical mid-range radar (like the ones PAGASA is currently using costs
around P60 to P70 million pesos, while the more high-end ones sell for about P80 to P100
million pesos. Compared with weather satellites, doppler radars are more accurate and useful
since they could also measure middle and lower clouds, while the former can only produce
images of the top view of the clouds
The DOST said that to date, the country has 13 Doppler radars and three X-Band
radars in the country. Doppler radars are located in Iloilo, Palawan, Guian, Subic, Tagaytay,
Mactan, Hinatuan, Tampakan, Basco, Zamboanga, Aparri, Virac, and Baguio. The three X-
Band radars, on the other hand, were placed in the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) central office in Quezon City, Mindanao, and
Baler. (PNA)

RA 7687 Scholarship Program

Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The State
shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation and their utilization; and
to science and technology education, training and services. As such, it shall provide for
scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives to deserving science students and other
specially-gifted citizens to enable them to pursue higher education or training in areas of
science and technology.
 To carry out this policy, the government, particularly the Department of Science and
Technology announces the availability of scholarship programs, namely RA 7687 Scholarship
Program, also known as the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994, to talented and
deserving students who must pursue priority fields of study in the basic sciences, engineering,
other applied sciences and science and mathematics teaching. Immediately upon completion of
a Bachelor of Science course, the scholar shall serve the country on full-time basis only along
his field of training for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time a scholar enjoyed
the scholarship by rendering service to his province or municipality by organizing technology-
based livelihood activities or enterprises, teaching, or such other service related to the course
or training he has completed. This scholarship program strengthens the country's science and
technology manpower by creating a pool of scientists, engineers and technicians who shall fill
the needs of industrialization.

SETUP
SETUP is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs (small and medium
enterprises) to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost
their productivity and competitiveness. SETUP provides micro small and medium enterprises
with equipment and technical assistance to enable MSMEs to increase sales and production,
streamline and improve overall company operations, upgrade the quality of products and
services, conform to national and international standards of excellence, and be competitive in
their respective fields.

Benefits: (!) Address current problems (2) Get free technical advice from the consultants (3)
Avail of technical advice from the consultants (4) Acquire new equipment to mechanize and/or
improve production line through venture funds (5) Standardize and improve the quality of
products (6) be competitive.

Strategy of SETUP to help the MSMEs (1) Infusion of new/advanced technologies (2) Provision
of seed funds for technology acquisition (3) Manpower training, technical assistance, and
consultancy services (4) Design of functional packages and labels (5) Support in the
establishment of product standard including testing and calibration (6) Database information
system.
Who May Apply? (1) Any company or individual firm that is based in the National Capital
Region and wholly owned by Filipino citizens (2) Any small and medium scale business firm
that can be classified under the identified priority sectors (3) Individual firm that is willing to
apply technological improvements in their existing operations.

Balik Scientist Act

On June 15, 2018, Republic Act No. 11035 was signed by President Rodrigo
Duterte. This Act was also known as the Balik Scientist Act. According to the law itself, it
aims to “strengthen the scientific and technological human resources of the academe, public
and private institutions, including locally registered enterprises in order to promote knowledge
sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country.”

Moreover, the program will be managed by the Department of Science and Technology
in which they will be the one who will facilitate the awards. They will assess science and
technology experts, educators, or professionals who would submit and address science-related
and technological issues that are present in our country, may it be lacking or absence regarding
the expertise and programs that are practiced locally.
The Balik Scientists will then receive an award for their engagement in either short-
term, medium-term, or long-term service. Thereafter, the DOST will ensure the Balik
Scientists’ participation on activities such as those stated in the act: mentorship, training,
lectures, research and development and other more. These scientists will then receive benefits
such as exemption on licensing or permitting requirements to PRC, accident and medical
insurance, tax exemption, and more depending also on the length of engagement.

Philippine Space Agency

Under Republic Act No. 11363, the Philippine Space Agency, or PhilSA, will be the
central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space science
and technology applications.The PhilSA is tasked to assist the country in the creation,
development, and implementation of national and international space policies, among other
directives.
 It is also tasked to plan, direct, manage, and implement programs relating to
scientific space research and development, and the application of space technology in the
country. DOST had a plan that lasted for 10 years from 2012 to create and make the Philippines
a “space- capable country”. In July 25, 2010, legislation proposed the Philippine Space Act of
2016 (Senate Bill 1211). And as of December 2018, it has been approved with no absentions.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippines already possess
enough infrastructure to run a dedicated space agency. Since 2010, it has spent ₱7.48 billion
(or $144 million) for space research and development, aided 5,500 scholars, trained more than
1,000 space science experts, and established 25 facilities in various parts of the Philippines.

Major Personalities in Science and Technology in the Philippines

Fe Del Mundo

Del Mundo was born in Manila on Nov. 27, 1911. She was the sixth of eight children.
Three of her eight siblings died in infancy, while an older sister died from appendicitis at age
11. It was the death of her older sister, who had made known her desire to become a doctor for
the poor that pushed the young Del Mundo toward the medical profession. Conducted
studies that

led to the invention of an improved incubator and a device to treat jaundice. She also founded a
major children's hospital in the Philippines and created the BRAT diet.
Bamboo Incubator. Premature babies (infants born before the mother’s 37th week of
pregnancy) are typically underdeveloped and low in body fat percentage, inhibiting their ability
to maintain their normal body temperature. The modern medical incubator addresses this;
however, not all people who need it have access to such technology. This is a particularly
serious problem in rural areas, where such devices are generally inaccessible. Fortunately, a
solution came in the form of the first Filipino invention on this list: the bamboo incubator,
widely credited as the brainchild of Dr. Fe del Mundo. This makeshift device is relatively
inexpensive and easy to reproduce, making it ideal for use in rural communities and areas with
limited to no access to advanced facilities.
Children’s Medical Center. Frustrated by the bureaucratic constraints in working for a
government hospital, Del Mundo wanted to establish her own pediatric hospital. She sold her
home and got a loan to finance the construction of her own hospital. The Children's Medical
Center, a 100-bed hospital located in Quezon City, was inaugurated in 1957 as the first
pediatric hospital in the Philippines. The hospital was expanded in 1966 through the
establishment of an Institute of Maternal and Child Health, the first institution of its kind in
Asia
Awards and Honors. First woman to be named National Scientist of the Philippines in 1980.,
Elizabeth Blackwell Award for Outstanding Service to Mankind (1966), Ramon Magsaysay
Award for Outstanding Public Service (1977), named Outstanding Pediatrician and
Humanitarian by the International Pediatric Association (1977).

Gregorio Zara

Gregorio Zara, a Filipino engineer and physicist, made major contributions to the
advancement of engineering and inventions in the Philippines. His innovation in his field of
specialization have contributed in popular understanding and utilization of science in the
country. He has a total of 30 devices and equipment patented to his name. The most popular
among those, is the TV-telephone system. . In the middle of the 1950s, long before the start of
the digital age, Zara developed the first videophone or two-way television-telephone. The
device left the realm of science fiction and comic books when Zara patented it in 1955 as a
“photo phone signal separator network.” That first iteration didn't catch on, largely because it
wasn’t intended as a commercial product. But in the 1960s, AT&T began working on a model
of a videophone, called a “picturephone,” aimed at the public. The company released the
videophone at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, but it was seen as impractical and didn't fare
well. It caught fire as the digital age was beginning in the late 1990s. The videophone first
caught on as a device that easily enabled distance learning and video conferencing and also
proved helpful for the hearing impaired. His other contributions includes the Zara effect
(physical law of electrical kinetic resistance), the wooden microscope, the semi-automatic
propeller-making machine, and an aircraft propeller that is entirely made of wood, the
solarsorber airplane fueled by alcohol, earth induction compass, used by pilots for direction; the
vapor chamber, used to visualize radioactive elements. These scientific inventions made him
internationally known which led him won numerous awards and accolades during his illustrious
career as engineer, inventor, government servant and educator. The most prestigious of these
was being conferred the Order of National Scientist in 1978 by then Philippine President
Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Felix D. Maramba
Dr. Felix D. Maramba, Sr. is recognized for his important contributions in the field of a Filipino
scientist who developed and utilized one of the world’s most profitable biogas system. He also
created a coconut oil-fueled power generator. It started in 1984, when a thriving piggery gave
him and his son, Felix K. Maramba Jr., the idea of generating their own power with
methane gas produced from manure. Other energy requirements at Maya Farms ( a commercial
piggery), including their processing plant, and feed mill, operated totally independent of
Meralco. The said technology was given for free. Farm technicians fan out to the provinces to
teach people how to harness energy from waste. Felix Maramba is the president of the
Philippine Association of Flour Millers, Inc. He wrote two books: “Biogas and Waste
Recycling, The Philippine Experience” and “Farm Management in the Philippines”. He
designed the Maya Farms Model.

Coconut oil fueled generator. In many countries throughout the world, coconut oil is the
primary source of fat for people.With Maramba’s idea of creating a power generator using
coconut oil as the source of energy he has made an incredible breakthrough by providing
energy from a readily available resource.Using coconut oil to provide an energy resource allows
people to make maximum use of a readily available resource and allows the coconut oil to be
reused or recycled after being used for cooking purposes.Being able to provide a cheap
and efficient readily available source of energy has made a tremendous difference to the lives
of many people.

Beside from being a cheap and readily available source of energy, it is also environmentally
friendly which has been an important factor in all of his work. Thanks to the creation of the
generator the life's of millions of people have been improved which has allowed them to
channel their times and energies towards other matters.

Rolando de la Cruz
 He developed a formula, in a form of cream, which is used nowadays as a treatment for
skin cancer. He received multiple awards coming from this discovery which led him to receive
DOST’s Tuklas Award for Most Outstanding Invention in 1998. The cream was made from
natural ingredient - mainly cashew. It is proven that the cream, which is now known as DeBCC
cream, could remove effectively deeply grown moles, warts, and (as the name implies) basal
cell carcinoma. It provides painless treatment contrary to the prior discovered method of warts
removal which causes pain since it uses heat along the procedure.
Rolando de la Cruz is actually a barber. Being a barber is what brought him to notice
skin diseases since most of his clients suffer from fungal infections and other skin diseases.
There were then two more situations which triggered the idea of DeBCC cream. First is that
when he was young, he felt a burning sensation when he ate cashew nuts. He told his mother
about this and his mother said that it was the cashew seeds that create the said ‘burning’.
Thereafter when he was in high school, he had a classmate who told him regarding the warts
removal procedure which the latter said that he could not stand the pain of the procedure even
though it uses anesthesia. His classmate also said that the procedure uses heat. From there, his
childhood experience on the cashew nut came and the idea was born.
He then became successful after receiving awards, even international, for the said
product. He called this invention as his invention by “accident”. Using his discovery, he
“established RCC Amazing Touch International Inc. but the product is now widely used for
treatment.

Diosdado Banatao
Diosdado Banatao or Dado, a Filipino Inventor, technology innovator, and venture capitalist.
He finished his Bachelor of Science of Electric Engineering from Mapua Institute of
Engineering and graduated cum laude. He turned down many jobs offers from the various
prestigious company. Instead, he joined Philippine Airlines as a trainee pilot while in the
United States, he took his opportunity to take up his Master of Science in Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford University. After his Master’s degree, Dado
worked with different Tech companies where he designed his first single-chip the 16-bit
microprocessor-based calculator in 1984. Dado founded his Tech Company Mostron, a
company that manufactures motherboards. Diosdado Banatao developed the first single-chip
graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a lot faster. This invention has
allowed computer users to use graphics for commands and not the usual typed commands in
older computers. It has allowed data processing to be a little faster using very little space (small
chips instead of large boards). Banatao through his Dado Banatao Educational Foundation,
awards every year five educational scholarships to intelligent Filipino students who have bright
futures in the field of engineering and technology. Also, with Philippine Development
Foundation which he chairs, are giving brilliant young Filipino minds to school, towards
maximizing their potentials for the future of the Philippines.
ACTIVITY:
1. Narrate the science-related issues and problems in the country.
• Lack of support from key institutions and government
- In the interviews, most scientist and engineers are demanded to publish journal articles
and new research but the government can’t even give resources to support them. Thus, many
Filipino tend to leave the country in search of better livelihood where they can practice science
that they have invested with their lives.
• The appointees by the upper officials of government to health or science-related agencies
were ironically soldiers, economist and even worst is, businessman.
- This has been a debate not only by Netizen but also in the common Filipino community.
There will always be a field of expertise that this position in government agencies requires. And
I am personally opposed this kind of implementation or appointment. For instance, Secretary
Ano, retired soldier, and the current secretary of DILG proposed many health protocols but
ironically again, people questioned the implementation but also questioned the said secretary due
to have been tested positive for COVID-19 twice.

2. Identify science and technology policies that could be adapted or implemented in the
Philippines.
• Strict banning of quarrying – we currently have a policy in the country which permits
quarrying with 5 years validity with covered mineral agreement. Quarrying may have an
advantage of creating jobs but that’s all. Most of effects are downgrade that creates pollution,
noise, dust and making wildlife habitats destroyed. The policies must not be the purpose of
suspending, as DENR says last December 2020. But it must be a total ban of quarrying within
the country.
• Strict implementation of segregation of trash – it is discussed during our elementary days
and has been widely promoted by different organization yet only few cities were to strictly
implement such segregation. This will cause to exert effort in community but also will also save
time to our low income garbage man and also will help recyclers.
• Salary increase for health workers – this is very timely issue. As we now have a
pandemic that hit thousands of Filipino people, health is indeed crucial. Policies that will
increase salary to the health workers will compensate the time they spend in saving lives of our
countrymen. This will also give a chance to betterment this area as the government aids and
support and tackles the issues concerning why Filipino nurses choose to be out of the country
serving other nations even they sacrifice their wants to stay here.

3. Identify Filipino indigenous knowledge.

- The Manobo community cultivates the diversity of medicinal plants in their territory to
deal with public health crises. The Subanen community employs animal warning and signs in the
nature to understand the effects of anthropogenic activities like illegal logging and forest
denudation and to administer their disaster risk reduction and administer their risk reduction
operation. The Higanon community preserves an ancient system of conflict resolution to enact
peace-building in land disputes and other issues concerning the individual.

4. Research on the connection of indigenous knowledge to science and technology.

- Indigenous knowledge has been responsible for the sustainability of science and
development of many technologies throughout history. Indigenous science incorporates
traditional knowledge and Indigenous perspective. They lived depended on their knowledge
about environment and many plat species including crop cultivation are enjoyed across the globe.
Indigenous knowledge about medicinal properties of plants has been greatly help in
pharmacological development.

5. Make a poster about the indigenous knowledge connection to science and technology
References

 Serafica, J. et.al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Printing Company,
Inc., First Edition, 2018.

• Bellis, Mary. “Biography of Fe Del Mundo, Noted Filipino Pediatrician.” ThoughtCo,

ThoughtCo, 15 May 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/filipino-doctor-fe-del-mundo-
1991718.
• Ma, and Cristina Arayata. “DOST Bares 5 Major Achievements in 2017.” Philippine
News Agency RSS, Philippine News Agency, 1 Jan. 2018,
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1019506.

• “PAGASA.” Wikiwand, https://www.wikiwand.com/en/PAGASA.

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• Retrieved from https://ncr.dost.gov.ph/index.php/what-we-

do/technology- transfer/community-empowerment-thru-science-and-technology on
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discovered

on September 11,2019.

• FilipinoAchievers (2010). Rolando de la Cruz: Discovered Cashew Nut Extracts.

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816X_UgliDEzwk0xqz4lyZrTZ1jzLyfTJkFKXGKs. Retrieved on September 12, 2019.
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• Amazing Touch (2018). DeBCC. Retrieved

from https://www.rccamazingtouch.com/product-page/debcc-single-use?

fbclid=IwAR1KTufjig_YJsPtLd4YGln82xhNTtrvYx2IRo3o40wtRVREDaSOfrg5N
wM. Retrieved on September 12, 2019

• Philippine Made (2010). Rolando de la Cruz Anti-Skin Cancer Invention. Retrieved

from https://philippine-made.blogspot.com/2010/11/rolando-de-la-cruz-
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• Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved

fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Space_Agency