The Philippines has an estimated number of 189 researchers and scientists per million of its population, which is half of the suggested 380 researchers per million every population recommended by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO). This is low compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors whose ratios range to the thousands.

This immersion believes that one way to increase this ratio is by inspiring young kids to the world of STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics). Therefore, this project aims to increase STEM appreciation and awareness to Project 6 Elementary fifth graders through the delivery of STEM experiment kits. Fifth graders were chosen as the target community since they will be applying for high school next school year. By increasing their awareness and hopefully, appreciation towards STEM, this immersion can encourage these kids to pursue a STEM strand for high school or apply to high schools specializing in STEM such as Philippine Science High School.

To understand the nature of our target community, the group researched first on the background and history of Project 6 Elementary School through their Facebook Page and their website. According to this immersion’s gatekeeper, there are around thirty-five 5th grade students in Project 6 Elementary School taking a special science class and 15 other kids taking other science classes. The gatekeeper said that these kits could potentially enhance the student's appreciation towards STEM.

We hope to add or complement other similar initiatives in increasing STEM appreciation and awareness to elementary school kids and hopefully, increasing the number of people interested in working in the STEM field in the Philippines by doing an immersion in Project 6 Elementary School. Our immersion may also complement other projects seeking to encourage kids to applying to science high schools or those pursuing a STEM strand.