THE country’s first digital science and technology library has made its way to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental in a bid to upgrade the learning tools of students.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Science and Technology Information Institute director Richard Burgos and Provincial Science and Technology Center director Allan Francis Dara-ug recently led the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and turnover rites of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (Starbooks) to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of San Carlos City.
Starbooks is a standalone information source designed to provide science and technology-based learning resources to geographically-isolated schools and local government units (LGUs) and enhance the educational competence of students.
Its features are composed of livelihood videos, disaster mitigation educational materials, interactive videos, science and math course, DOST technologies, journals, and researches.
Among the secondary school beneficiaries in San Carlos include Bagonbon National High School, Quezon National High School, Julio Ledesma National High School, Don Carlos Ledesma National High School and Sipaway National High School.
“In this digital era, learning materials for students must be upgraded and latest technology must be applied. With the Starbooks, it provides an augmented science and technology-oriented platform aligned with the K-12 Program,” Dara-ug said.
He further said that access to Starbooks enables students, faculties, or any individual be equipped with science and technology knowledge, innovative ideas, analytical and critical thinking that essentially help them in their careers and in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics courses.
Also present in the activity were San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, DepEd San Carlos City Schools Division Superintendent Allan Yap, principals, and teachers.
Apart from San Carlos City, other schools that have availed of the Starbooks in the province were Nabulao National High School, Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial National High School, Sagay City National High School, Valladolid National High School, Bulata National High School, Valencia Ko Elementary School, Gawahon Elementary School, and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (Main, Alijis, Fortune Towne, and Binalbagan Campus).
To note, the first Starbooks in Negros Occidental was established in Nabulao National High School as a component of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology project in Sipalay City.
Dara-ug said that orientation and training were provided to beneficiaries prior to the operation and deployment of Starbooks.
The DOST hopes to install Starbooks to 100 schools in the province in 2019. (PR)