DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 29 (PIA) -- Senior High School (SHS) learners in Negros Oriental learned more about the various courses and opportunities under the different fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) upon the visit of Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST - SEI)’s learning bus “nuLab” in the city.

DOST-SEI’s “nuLab” bus visited Dumaguete City on September 20 to 23, 2023 in time for the city’s hosting of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) led by DOST-7.

The “nuLab” bus is a mobile science laboratory that visits schools to engage SHS students on different STEM modules covering topics on nanotechnology, aerospace engineering, nuclear science, earthquake risk analysis, science media literacy, programming, oceanography, robotics, entomology, and environmental science.

The nuLab is equipped with an interactive board, individual monitor for students, laboratory-grade equipment, wireless sensors, and other equipment for advanced science learning.

Its main goal is to visit areas around the country to ignite the learner’s passion for STEM.

“We would like students to discover their potential on different variants of STEM Fields. We orient them on different scholarship offerings offered by DOST. We also provide them the DOST SEI STEM Career Guidebook," said Candy Ilaw, science research specialist of DOST-SEI who was part of the nuLab facilitators.  

The guidebook provides information on the various STEM courses and the opportunities available for learners if they pursue a career in STEM, added Ilaw. 

Contrary to their usual routine of visiting schools, the “nuLab” was parked outside Robinsons Place Dumaguete during its entire stopover on Dumaguete City since the mall was also the main venue for exhibits and other activities for the RSTW celebration.

Aside from the usual topics on STEM, “nuLab” facilitators from DOST-SEI also included another module on science communication to help students relate their learnings to their communities.

“One of the modules we offer for the Dumaguete Roadtrip is the science communication. We try to teach students how to communicate science or what’s happening around them. Some of the modules na ino-offer natin for this roadtrip ay iyong Math and Biology (other modules we offer for this roadtrip are Math and Biology)," Ilaw said.

Ilaw said they had visitors from schools as far as Canlaon City in the north who came to the bus.

“What’s nice with this nuLab is it can be converted into various kinds of laboratory. Not just a biology laboratory, we can turn this into a chem lab or physics lab depending on the module being presented. It’s mobile and convenient,” said Lorraine Joyce Del Rosario, nuLab facilitator and a former DOST scholar.

Del Rosario is part of the project staff from University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, which has been tapped to deliver a module on microbiology to SHS students in Negros Oriental.

Bryce Logronio, a student of Tanjay City High Science High School, is thankful that he learned more about Microbiology during their interactive learning session in the nuLab. 

“I think my knowledge on Microbiology mas nakat-on ko kay hands-on man jud kaayo ko didto (I think my knowledge on Microbiology expanded because it was hands-on learning). I was more eager to pursue a career in science or medicine)," Logronio said.

The nuLab’s visit to Dumaguete City is part of DOST’s strategies to communicate to the public the benefits and positive impact of science, technology, and innovation in celebration of RSTW. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)