STEM Club Highlights
STEM Club Highlights
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The Link, May 8, 2025
By Edward Raphael T. Velasco & Isagani Rudyard B. De Pedro
Extracurriculars are the crucible in which the raw ore of potential is refined into the gleaming gold of one’s character and capability. These pursuits, which are often regarded as mere accompaniments to a student’s academic endeavors, are in truth the quiet nourishers of growth. Within the framework of academic life, these pursuits provide the fertile ground where students can develop essential life skills, challenge their own limitations, and build a foundation of responsibility, teamwork, and determination.
These activities, in their various forms and unshackled from the rigidity of classrooms, offer students a sanctuary for them to grow beyond the constraints of structured learning. In these endeavors, they find their voices, strengthen their resolve, and discover the untapped potential that lies within. Success, in this regard, is not limited to the acquisition of knowledge, but the development of the personal qualities needed to overcome the obstacles of life, to lead with integrity, and to act with confidence.
At the heart of our beloved institution, ambition, and growth are not distant starts to be admired from afar; they are the guiding principles, the lifeblood, that steer our collective pursuit of progress and excellence. These principles are embodied in four foundational clusters: the Advocates, who equip students with the wisdom to discern and defend what is true and essential; the Artists, who nurture the creative potential that lies within each individual; the Sportsmen, who cultivate the discipline of physical well-being and the spirit of under the leadership of Edward Velasco and Mango Montinola. “The club has given me the opportunity to surpass my limitations, learn new coding languages, and gain invaluable knowledge through programming,” Montinola explains. "Our activities have helped me develop not only the technical skills necessary for my future career but also an understanding of the complexities of life itself.” shares Montinola, capturing the essence of the club’s broader impact. in this space, students do more than simply navigate coding and robotics—they are preparing for a future in which their abilities will help shape the world. Here, they learn not simply to solve problems, but to innovate in ways that will shape the future.
Meanwhile, the Master Planners Club, dedicated to those passionate about architecture and design, reveals a different kind of exploration. Here, students are not confined to the mechanics of drafting blueprints, they engage with the very forces that mold the physical and conceptual world. As Quintana, a club member, puts it: “The projects we’ve worked on have pushed me to think more creatively and have taught me to approach my work with greater care and attention to detail.” In this way, the club provides a platform for students to develop not just their design skills but a deeper understanding of how design shapes society. The club offers students a forum to develop the skills necessary to transform the abstract into the tangible, empowering them to leave a lasting impact on the world around them.
Lastly, we have the Brain Teasers club, a haven for students who enjoy a good challenge, to thrive and show off their specialty in puzzles, riddles, and games, and to bring together students who wish to test their minds and create problem-solving strategies; be it in a collaborative effort, or individually solving them. Here, an aspiring member of the club, Master Sampaga says that: “The sessions we had included some friendly competitions, trivia games, and forming ourselves into groups to solve puzzles and decode mysteries.” He also added: “Whether you’re an expert, or starting to explore yourself in the world of puzzles, there will be something dynamic or everyone in the club”. Beyond the aspect of strategic solving and creative thinking, the club fosters the value of Gospel Brotherhood and Christian leadership throughout the session. By being socially connected to one another, not only do they sharpen their analytical skills, but also learn how to approach problems from a different perspective.
However, the true brilliance of the Wizards Cluster lies not merely in the technical prowess it fosters, but in the mindset it cultivates: a mindset that values innovation, embraces challenge, and acts decisively in the face of uncertainty. These clubs may not be solving the greatest crises of our time, like curing diseases or altering the fabric of reality, but they are, in their own right, doing something just as good. They teach students how to approach problems with creativity and foresight, and how to lead with clarity in moments of uncertainty. This distinction—between simply learning and truly mastering—is where real growth occurs. It’s the difference between understanding a concept and owning it, between following a path and paving your own.
In this respect, the Wizards Cluster is more than just a group of like-minded individuals; it is a breeding ground for those who will not only excel in their chosen fields but who will shape the world itself. It is here that the pursuit of knowledge meets the discipline of action, where theoretical understanding is translated into tangible results.
*Different images are from the LSM Xplorers Club, a member of the Wizards Cluster. The club is assigned to handle science laboratory equipment, especially PASCO equipment.
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