THE Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City, among the biggest secondary schools in the province, is pushing for the popularization of science in the community.
NOHS principal Mario Amaca, in a press conference at the school Tuesday, September 10, said embracing science means embracing breakthroughs with the advantage of positive effect to the people and environment.
Amaca said NOHS is an advocate of science and technology. In fact, it is the only school in Negros Island offering eight curriculum including the Special Program in Science.
“Our Science Centrum implemented for almost eight years now will have a great impact the learning of the students,” he said, adding that it serves to tickle their inquisitive young minds and interest to learn more.
In the bid to popularice science in the community, especially in school, NOHS is holding the Science Month Celebration starting today until September 30.
Aside from the Science Centrum, which hosts various exhibitions on studies and researches, other activities are Symbo Game and 7th Division Scilympics 2019, among others.
Themed “Critical Thinking and Creativity to Sustainable Development,” the Science Month celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 264 series of 2002 declaring September as the National Science Club Month all throughout the country.
For science teachers of NOHS, there is really a need to popularize science in the community.
Gemmabeth Gicole said popularizing science, which is the body of knowledge, at the same time technology because it aids us in our everyday lives.
For Esther Luz Repique, also a teacher, they want to inculcate to the students that science is life.
“When we translate science into scientific object or into something, it will not only be the students who will benefit but the entire communuty as well,” she said.
For the teachers, science is popular among students if they are in school. Though, they recognized challenges in popularizing science in the community.
Yvonne Vargas, department head, said the lack of fund and equipment somehow “limits” the opportunity for the students to learn about science.
Teacher Faith Joy Santiago, on the other hand, said technological advancements, which are products of science principles, sometimes become barriers in popularizing science among students.
“Social media, for instance, if not used as a tool for learning is wasting much the time of the students, which is supposedly used for their school lessons including science,” she pointed out.
The teachers, however, assures that NOHS remains committed to making science popular and part of the students’ lives through initiating programs and projects geared towards promoting science.
“We need the support of the stakeholders thus, we are involving parents and other members of the community on what the students are doing here,” Repique added.