LCSHS Joins the Inaugural STEM Nexus Cohort 1 EduSeries

By Joseph Ma. Steven S. Cabalo

An immersive week with our amplifying partners broadened our perspective on various STEM-related careers in the industry. I saw the gap between "theory and practice" in education—that we, as teachers, are vital instruments in bridging this gap between what the industry needs and what we are teaching our students in our own learning communities.

As we, Fellows from all around the Philippines, implement our 6-month learning engagement action plan (LEAP), may we carry out the challenge of uplifting the lives of our students by bridging the gap through STEM.

Truly, the 17 Fellows of our 1st cohort of STEM Nexus lived to its name—connections. Its culminating emanates "pag-asa", that every Filipino child can reach their dreams through STEM.

I thank the Center for Integrated STEM Education, Inc. (CISTEM) and Unilab Foundation for this opportunity.

Be part of our 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 and contribute to driving innovation and excellence in STEM education: tinyurl.com/CISTEMPLC

STEM and ICT in the Community: Capstone and Pitching across Curricular Areas

By Christy D. Sandoval

Learnings are not meant to be confined in the four corners of the classroom, especially when students are considered as the future of our generation. The impetus that students possess are born to radiate outwards the school and eventually reach the communities they shall serve.

STEM Students had dedicated booths to exhibit their semester-wide Capstone projects, demonstrating their research, experiments, and technological solutions. Though this, they provided a summary of their product or abstract, allowing visitors or other students to be knowledgeable of the principles behind the various scientific concepts. Moreover, STEM students had one to two representatives to deliver talks on explaining their capstone product and to answer the inquiries of other students. For awards and Recognitions, other students and a panel of judges evaluated the projects, and winners were recognized in various categories, such as Most Innovative Project and Students’ Choice Award.

Our ICT students, for the duration of one whole semester, were tasked to furnish projects on ICT to support decent jobs and economic growth for the local community. On March 8, 2024, from 8 AM to 4 PM at the Lipa City Senior High School Gymnasium, each section showcased their ICT projects in 15-minute intervals. During breaks, teachers and students visited the booths to award ribbons for the best projects, with the highest-voted group receiving the “People’s Choice Award.” Additional honors, including Most Innovative and Best Booth, were given based on judges' evaluations. The event highlighted students' ICT and entrepreneurial skills, fostered collaboration, and received positive feedback despite minor challenges like time management and technical issues. It was a successful demonstration of creativity and critical thinking, strengthening the school community and promoting innovation.

The members of this year's team are composed of the following: Christy D. Sandoval, Diana D. Sandoval, Joseph Ma. Steven S. Cabalo, Jenny P. Macalalad, and Jerick Omar D. Famanila.

Get the HEAT version 2.0: A Revamped programme

By Diana D. Sandoval

As Education begins to transform into more advanced technology-based innovations, the need to strengthen partnerships and community participation in the school’s program must be intensified. Thus, the Get the HEAT programme was revamped to cater some of the pressing needs of the school and to involve local stakeholders in school activities:

Blood Donation Drive: a school program that was conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross. The activity was participated by people from various groups like the Philippine National Police, Teachers’ Association, etc. The program aims to promote health through community linkages. On the other hand, Stress Management is aimed to help learners and teachers to cope with stress brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to the new normal. The program was conducted through an in-person seminar.

Capacity-Building Program on Basic Filipino Sign Language (FSL) through De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB): The Core Team in coordination with DLS-CSB, SPED Department will conduct a seminar on Introduction to Basic FSL and Deaf awareness Campaign. Inviting the SPED learners, parents, and teachers to participate in the said activity will be held on August 17, 2022.

Microsoft Education Ambassador (MEA) Teach-Back Programme: The MEA Teach-Back programme aimed to maximize the teaching-learning process in the new normal, ensuring that all teachers can use these tools in a hybrid setting. With the various functionalities of Microsoft Office, these applications can be managed for continuing education, with training sessions done through synchronous or asynchronous modalities. 

School Security Improvement (CCTV) and Partnership with City LGU on Tablet Provision: Security is one important aspect of successful education and learning. The school installed CCTV to monitor the activities going on in the school and ensure the security of the school’s equipment. Likewise, as the pandemic continues, the school in partnership with the LGU distributed tablets for the learners to enable them to pursue their studies in the safety of their homes.

Through the activities under the revamped Get the HEAT programme, learners became aware of their health and how to manage stress, of the possible curriculum exits, and teachers became knowledgeable in using Microsoft tools for Education.

The Get the HEAT core team for this SY is composed of: Joseph Ma. Steven S. Cabalo, Resty S. Catinoy, Diana D. Sandoval, Maricel L. Pricilla, Jeanette P. Reyes, Rensie Vique F. Falculan, and Baby Ruth M. Kasilag.

The Inagural Get the HEAT Programme: Health, Education, and Technology

By Resty S. Catinoy

The onslought of the COVID-19 pandemic led us to conceptualize this initiative which is anchored on the schools’ improvement project entitled SAVE (Support Activities & Various Enhancement Programs) to enhance learning and develop positive values thru the conduct of school activities. This initiative includes the creation of a virtual clinic, where the students raise their problems/issues about their health and mental condition. There are also 3 episodes of webinar series focused on mental health and protocols, anxiety, mindfulness, and self-care. The Tiktok contest entitled BIDA Laban sa COntraVIDa was conducted to promote the minimum health protocols of the Department of Education to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On Education, there are 4 episodes webinar series focused on the different careers. The invited speakers are the experts and practitioners in their chosen field. This webinar helps the students to enlighten about the different careers on their chosen strand. One-Stop-Shop on Career Paths is a website created where the students can look for the possible curriculum exits after senior high school.

Technology is a vital tool today especially in education. Teachers in the Philippines have their Microsoft O365, and they should be more enlightened in using it. Webinar series is also done where the trainers are the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE). This is done to maximize the teaching-learning process in the new normal ensuring that all teachers can use these tools in remote settings. With the various functionalities of Microsoft Office, these applications can be managed for continuing education.

On the closing program, there’s a discussion on the UN SDG’s delivered by a UN SDSN-Youth partnership and resource mobilization associate. The key persons on various executive departments of the government (DOH Undersecretary, DepEd Undersecretary, DICT Assistant Secretary) acknowledged the efforts and accomplishments of the organizers and the school community.

The Get the HEAT technical working group for this SY consists of the following: Joseph Ma. Steven S. Cabalo, Resty S. Catinoy, Rensie Vique F. Falculan, Marian T. Culata, and Maricel L. Pricilla.