DepEd pushes through with 2020 NSTF amid COVID-19 threat
Published Mar 3, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday formally opened the 2020 National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF) amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Department of Education (MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd, through its Bureau of Curriculum and Development (BCD), formally opened this year’s NSTF at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City. The event gathered 161 student-participants 39 public and private schools nationwide.
With the theme, “Advancing Communities Through Science, Technology and Innovation,” the NSTF aims to promote Science and Technology consciousness and a culture of innovation among youth.
The NSTF also aims to identify the most creative and innovative student researches from the Junior and Senior High School who shall represent the country in the international Science research fairs.
Protocols in place
In a press briefing, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan assured that protocols are in place to ensure that participants are protected against the infection.
“What is being discouraged are unnecesarry gatherings and I think there is already a very deep consciousness on safety precaution,” Malaluan said. “We constantly remind the participants and the organizers of proper hygiene to minimize possible transmission of the virus,” he added.
Nepomuceno noted that the DepEd Task Force COVID-19 has already issued protocols that schools should follow in relation to the disease. Initially, DepEd ordered the temporary suspension of scheduled activities which involve learners as a response to the COVID-19. However, in consultation with the health department, DepEd has lifted the suspension of national and regional activities as long as preventive measures and precautions are strictly observed.
“Activities such as this is very important so we were really hoping that such suspension would be temporary and we’re thankful that this activity pushed through because the students prepared for this,” Malaluan said. The 2020 NSTF started will be held until March 6.
Gathering of the best
BCD Director Jocelyn Andaya noted that the NSTF has always been a gathering of “best and brightest” students in both public and private schools nationwide. “This is a tiered competition and only those who ranked first are able to join the national competition,” she explained.
Despite the low ranking of Filipino learners when it comes to Science in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Andaya noted that the conduct of activities such as the NSTF will help uplift the quality of education in the country.
“Joining the NSTF promotes among students the need for higher level skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical skills - these are the skills needed in order to come up with very innovative research and if the students are able to do research early on, they can apply those skills in every aspect of participation,” Andaya said.
Malaluan also noted that when students acquire more of these higher level skills, then “they would be able to catch up” with international standards in no time.
The 2020 NSTF features 80 research projects made by Junior and Senior High School learners all over the country. These entries will compete in four categories that include Life Science, Physical Science, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, and Science Innovation Expo.
Department of Education (MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd, through its Bureau of Curriculum and Development (BCD), formally opened this year’s NSTF at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City. The event gathered 161 student-participants 39 public and private schools nationwide.
With the theme, “Advancing Communities Through Science, Technology and Innovation,” the NSTF aims to promote Science and Technology consciousness and a culture of innovation among youth.
The NSTF also aims to identify the most creative and innovative student researches from the Junior and Senior High School who shall represent the country in the international Science research fairs.
Protocols in place
In a press briefing, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan assured that protocols are in place to ensure that participants are protected against the infection.
“What is being discouraged are unnecesarry gatherings and I think there is already a very deep consciousness on safety precaution,” Malaluan said. “We constantly remind the participants and the organizers of proper hygiene to minimize possible transmission of the virus,” he added.
Nepomuceno noted that the DepEd Task Force COVID-19 has already issued protocols that schools should follow in relation to the disease. Initially, DepEd ordered the temporary suspension of scheduled activities which involve learners as a response to the COVID-19. However, in consultation with the health department, DepEd has lifted the suspension of national and regional activities as long as preventive measures and precautions are strictly observed.
“Activities such as this is very important so we were really hoping that such suspension would be temporary and we’re thankful that this activity pushed through because the students prepared for this,” Malaluan said. The 2020 NSTF started will be held until March 6.
Gathering of the best
BCD Director Jocelyn Andaya noted that the NSTF has always been a gathering of “best and brightest” students in both public and private schools nationwide. “This is a tiered competition and only those who ranked first are able to join the national competition,” she explained.
Despite the low ranking of Filipino learners when it comes to Science in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Andaya noted that the conduct of activities such as the NSTF will help uplift the quality of education in the country.
“Joining the NSTF promotes among students the need for higher level skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical skills - these are the skills needed in order to come up with very innovative research and if the students are able to do research early on, they can apply those skills in every aspect of participation,” Andaya said.
Malaluan also noted that when students acquire more of these higher level skills, then “they would be able to catch up” with international standards in no time.
The 2020 NSTF features 80 research projects made by Junior and Senior High School learners all over the country. These entries will compete in four categories that include Life Science, Physical Science, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, and Science Innovation Expo.