Science Education in the Philippines PDF

**Written Report** **Lesson \#3 - Science Education in the Philippines** **Submitted By:** Bernardo, Kent Denzel M. Castillo, Gracelline V. De Villar, Rinoa G. Francisco, Janna Lois G. **Submitted To:** Mr. Jimp Israel Cabuhat **LESSON OBJECTIVES** At the end of this lesson, the students s...

**Written Report** **Lesson \#3 - Science Education in the Philippines** **Submitted By:** Bernardo, Kent Denzel M. Castillo, Gracelline V. De Villar, Rinoa G. Francisco, Janna Lois G. **Submitted To:** Mr. Jimp Israel Cabuhat **LESSON OBJECTIVES** At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to: - Discuss the concept of science education and - Identify science schools established to promote science education in the Philippines. **INTRODUCTION:** The Philippines is trying its best to improve the state of science education in the country. This lesson will discuss the concept of science education and will identify some strategies to promote science education in the country. One of the strategies is to establish science schools that will encourage students to pursue their career in science and technology and to nurture their gifted potentials in science.  **The Concept of Science Education** **Science education** focuses on teaching, learning, and understanding science. Teaching science involves developing ways on how to effectively teach science. This means exploring pedagogical theories and models in helping teachers teach scientific concepts and processes effectively. Learning science, on the other hand, includes both pedagogy and the most interesting aspect, which is helping students understand and love science. Understanding science implies developing and applying science-process skills and using science literacy in understanding the natural world and activities in everyday life. Getting deeper into the discourse of science education, John Dewey (2001) stressed the importance of utilizing the natural environment to teach students. Accordingly, nature must indeed furnish its physical stimuli to provide wealth of meaning through social activities and thinking. It is not surprising therefore that science education is important. In fact, Marx (1994) opines that science is going to be one of the most important school subjects in the future. Science education is justified by the vast amount of scientific knowledge developed in this area that prepares citizens in a scientifically and technologically driven world. Science education provides skills and knowledge that are necessary for a person to live in what Knight (1986) describes as the age of science and to develop a citizenry that will meet the goals of science in the society (Tilghman, 2005). Developing a science culture is therefore an immense responsibility for schools. **Science Education in Basic and Tertiary Education** **Science education** plays a crucial role in helping students grasp key concepts and facts that are directly applicable to their daily lives. More than just knowledge, it also equips students with essential skills like critical thinking, process skills, and life skills, all of which are vital for navigating everyday situations effectively. Beyond practical skills, science education fosters a positive mindset. It encourages a deep love for learning, fuels curiosity about the natural world, and nurtures creativity. Students often develop a passion for innovation through this process, which can shape their approach to solving problems and exploring new ideas. Furthermore, science education lays a strong foundation for future academic pursuits in the sciences. It not only prepares students for advanced study but also opens up possibilities for science-related careers. By building this early interest and competence, students are better positioned to explore opportunities in various scientific fields as they move forward in their education. At the tertiary level, science education aims to *deepen students\' understanding and appreciation of scientific principles and their applications*. This is achieved through offering foundational science courses as part of the General Education curriculum, ensuring that students from various disciplines gain a solid grasp of essential scientific concepts. An important focus at this stage is preparing future professionals in science-related fields. Whether it\'s training future science teachers, scientists, engineers, or professionals in agriculture, medicine, and health sciences, tertiary education serves as the groundwork for their careers. To promote interest in these fields, governments often provide scholarships to encourage more students to pursue science-based degrees. This not only supports individual students but also strengthens the nation's capacity in critical areas of scientific research and development. In this way, tertiary science education not only nurtures individual knowledge and skills but also contributes to a larger societal goal of fostering innovation and expertise in various science-driven sectors. **Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS)** This government program for gifted students in the Philippines. It is a service institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) whose mandate is to offer a free scholarship basis for secondary courses with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the sciences, with the end-view of preparing its students for a science career (Republic Act No. 3661). The school maintains a dormitory for all its students. Since its inception, the PSHSS continues to pursue its vision to develop Filipino science scholars with scientific minds and passion for excellence. PSHSS students have proven to be a beacon of excellence, courage, and hope for the country. They have brought honor to the Philippines through their exemplary achievements in various international competitions and research circles. When the students graduate from the school, they are expected to pursue degrees in science and technology at various colleges and universities locally or abroad. **Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project** The Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project is in pursuance to DepEd Order No. 74 s. 2008, and DepEd Order No. 51 s. 2010. This project started in June 2007 with 57 identified elementary schools that participated or were identified as science elementary schools in the country. Since its inception, the number has grown to more than 60 schools nationwide, and this is now its sixth year of implementation. The SSES Project aims to develop Filipino children equipped with scientific and technological knowledge, skills, and values. Its mission is to: - Provide a learning environment to science-inclined children through a special curriculum that recognizes the multiple intelligences of the learners; - Promote the development of lifelong learning skills; and - Foster the holistic development of the learners. The subject Science and Health is taught in Grade 1 with a longer time compared to other subjects: 70 minutes for Grades I to III and 80 minutes for Grades IV to VI. The curriculum also utilizes different instructional approaches that address the learning styles and needs of the learners like the use of investigatory projects. In response to the growing importance of science and gifted children in the Philippines, the Special Science Elementary School Project (SSES Project) was implemented in 2007. This project is intended for gifted children in public elementary schools, and aims to produce scientifically literate students who will opt to be educated in special science high schools. **Vision:** The SSES envisions developing Filipino children who are equipped with scientific and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes; creative and have positive values; and lifelong learning skills to become productive partners in the development of the community and society. **Mission:** The SSES provides a learning environment to the gifted and talented through a special Mathematics and Science curricula which recognize multiple intelligences geared towards the development of God-loving, globally competitive, nationalistic, creative, ecologically aware, scientifically and technologically oriented and skilled individuals who are empowered through lifelong learning skills. **Objectives:** The Special Science Elementary School Project has the following objectives: 1. Provide an enriched curriculum for Mathematics and Science Provide the gifted and talented learners with venues, opportunities and exposures for developing necessary skills and aptitudes; Capacitate school heads and teachers in implementing and managing a SSES school Develop SSES program models for both the regular and SPED schools SSES has three batches of schools. Batch 1 having 31 schools while batch 2 has 30 schools and last is batch 3 with 39 schools. **The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System** Offers scholarships to gifted Filipino students in science and mathematics, with admission through the National Competitive Examination (NCE). Graduates are required by law to major in pure and applied sciences, mathematics, or engineering in college. PSHS is known for its rigorous curriculum and for producing top professionals in the country. It actively participates in national and international competitions, including Sipnayan, Kapnayan, MATHirang MATHibay, and various mathematics, physics, and chemistry Olympiads. From the current 16 schools, the number of campuses of the PSHS system is planned to be increased to 25 under House Bill (HB) No. 9726 or the proposed Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act. Unlike other public schools in the Philippines, PSHS does not offer strands such as STEM, HUMSS, or ABM at the senior high school level; rather, they allow students to specialize in a particular field of science such as biology, chemistry, or physic. Auraeus Solito, also known as Kanakan-Balintagos, is a Palawán-Filipino filmmaker and indigenous peoples rights advocate who comes from a lineage of shaman-kings from the Palawán tribe. One of the leading independent filmmakers in the Philippines, he was chosen as part of in Take 100, The Future of Film in 2010. This book, published by Phaidon Press, New York, is a survey featuring 100 emerging film directors from around the world who have been selected by 10 internationally prominent film festival directors.  **Quezon City Regional Science High School** The school was established on September 17, 1967. Originally, it was named after Quezon City Science High School. It was turned into a regional science high school for the National Capital Region in 1999. The school was a product of a dream to establish a special science school for talented students in science and mathematics. The focus of the curriculum is on science and technology. The school still teaches the basic education courses prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd) for secondary education. However, there are additional subjects in sciences and technology that students should take. The school envisions to serve as a venue in providing maximum opportunities for science-gifted students to develop spirit of inquiry and creativity. The school is well-supported by the local government unit and by the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA). The school is under the Department of Education. **Manila Science High School** Established on October 1, 1963, It\'s the first science high school in the Philippines. The Curriculum and its organization is more focused on Science and Mathematics. The school aims to produce scientists with souls and it means 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. In order to do this, humanities courses and other electives are included in their curriculum. Manila Science High School Admission Test or MSAT, is the test used by the school to test the students that desire to get inside the school and Become their future students. The Test is known to have 5 Parts. aptitude in science, aptitude test in mathematics, Problem-solving test in science, problem- solving test in mathematics, and proficiency in English. The school proudly claims itself from producing outstanding alumni and for winning various national competitions. Examples of the notable alumni of the manila science high school are: **Cristeta Pasia Comerford** - First Filipino Woman chief cook in white house in america From Class 1979 **Beethoven V. Bunagan** - Well known actor,Parodist,and Singer known as Michael V. From Class 1986 **Reev Robledo** - A music composer,Songwriter,teacher and Author from Class 1993, one of his famous works is named Gitarista,a full length historical novel.  **Central Visayan Institute Foundation** Home and pioneer of the prominent school-based innovation known as the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP). DLP is the combination of classical and modern pedagogical theories adapted to foster the highest level of learning, creativity, and productivity. The school\'s main pride is the Research Center for Theoretical Physics (RCTP) which was established during December 1992. It organizes small international workshops to develop the informal but intense exchange of ideas and perspectives on outstanding problems in physics and mathematics. **SUMMARY** Science education deals with the teaching and learning of science and in helping the public develop science literacy. This is important in the promotion and development of science and technology in the country. Science education deals with the development of people in science, which is the heart of science, technology, and society. This lesson focused on discussing the concept of science education and introduced science education in the Philippines from basic education to tertiary education. To promote science education, science schools were established to develop gifted students in science and mathematics, such as the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS), Manila Science High School, Quezon City Regional Science High School, and the Special Science Elementary Schools Project. Science programs and projects were organized and developed to nurture innovation in science in the country, and to encourage individuals to pursue careers and research in science and technology **THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS** 1\. What other government projects and programs are available for science education in the Philippines? 2\. Are there private schools with outstanding science education programs? Identify and compare their science education programs with public science schools. **ACTIVITY** 1\. Discuss science-related issues and problems in the country. 2. Identify science and technology policies that could be adapted or implemented in the Philippines. **REFERENCES**: Michael V. - Bio, Albums, Songs and Lyrics - OPM Filipino Music\". Filipinomusica.com. December 17, 1969. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012. Wikipedia contributors. (2024a, September 6). *Manila Science High School*. Wikipedia. [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila\_Science\_High\_School\#cite\_ref-12]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Science_High_School#cite_ref-12) New UP-BOR Faculty Regent appointed [https://www.unizar.es/webs/w\_carr.pdf] \"Carillon Online Newspage\". Archived from the original on August 22, 2006. 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