To further promote science and technology culture among the Filipino youth, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), in partnership with C&E Publishing, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), and Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., honored top student innovations during the awarding ceremony of the 7th cycle of the imake.wemake: create.innovate.collaborate on 26 July 2024 at the Citadines Bay City Manila in Pasay City.
This innovation competition provides a platform for young innovators to develop practical solutions to national and community challenges using science and technology (S&T).
“This competition is more than just a platform to showcase your talents. It is a training ground for developing competencies such as project proposal-making, communication skills, critical and analytical thinking, engineering, and technical skills. Equally important, it teaches you the value of taking risks and learning from failures,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. in his message during the awarding ceremony.
Out of the 94 project proposals received by DOST-SEI, 20 teams, each consisting of four senior high school students and a teacher-coach, were selected to participate in the competition.
Besting other finalists, the teams from Limay Senior High School (LSHS), Iligan City National High School (ICNHS), and Bansud National High School (BNHS) – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA received this year’s Young Innovation Prize Award.
The LSHS team, composed of students Redgelson Sablang, Mark Loyd Ocomen, Shammel Soria, and Marcus Dwayne Laoit with coach Rowena Cabrera, won for their project titled “Efficient Code Recognition and Enhanced Auditory Device (EC-READ): Reading Assistive Device for Visually Impaired)”. This is an assistive reading device designed for visually impaired individuals.
Coming all the way from Northern Mindanao, the ICNHS team of Alessandra Elaine Miñoza, Aisah Esnaira Salic, Jiandale Ambal, and Ryan Gabriel with coach Eileen Villaruz, featured their project “S.A.G.A.N.A: Smart Agriculture with Greenhouse Automated Nebulization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assessment.” This project involves a farming system that allows efficient nutrient circulation, humidity control, and plant monitoring.
Lastly, with their coach Alexis Albo, the BNHS – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA team of James Darren Magboo, Shennon Kate Deogracias, Caryl Joy Atienza, and Ayen Denisse Rodriguez received the award for their project “AQUASTELLAR: Development of an Alternative and Low-Cost Portable Lamp Using Various Electrolytes Derivative Solutions.” This innovative lamp can serve as an alternative light source, especially for areas with limited electricity infrastructures.
Deogracias, Miñoza, Salic, and Laoit are also recipients of the GBF Young Scientists Award (YSA). This honor recognizes their potential and accomplishments in science, technology, and innovation, along with their contributions to community service.
Moreover, the following teams are this year’s C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions (CEALS) Arduino Science Kreators Awardees: Masbate National Comprehensive High School for “SILEYE: Object Detection and Identification Headgear with Voice Output for Learning of Visually Impaired Persons”, Rizal National Science High School for “SALAMUHA: Filipino Sign Language Assistive System via Convolutional Neural Network for Holistic Learning and Inclusive Communication”, and Bantayan Science High School for “PROJECT BASSA: An IoT-Based Buoy Automatic Sanctuary Security Assistance”.
This award is given to teams that demonstrated creativity and skill in using Arduino technology, a tool for building and operating electronic projects, to address real-world issues.
Additionally, the City of Bogo Senior High School earned the CEALS Innovation Award for their project “AGRIGENT: Enhancing Greenhouse Agriculture with IoT-Enabled Automated Fertigation and Rainwater Harvesting System for Improved Crop Growth and Water Efficiency”. This award recognizes projects with outstanding Arduino design and significant market potential.
Science as a human endeavor: drawing inspirations from real-life challenges
In an interview with the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute, YSA recipient Laoit from LSHS shared that their award-winning project, EC-READ, was created to assist the sole visually impaired student at their school.
“Nakikita namin kung ano ‘yung struggle niya sa room at kung hanggang saan ‘yung nagagawa niya lang sa klase niya,” he said. “Tinanong po namin sa kanya kung paano namin siya matutulungan para makapag-aral nang maayos dito sa Limay then she answered our question at doon na po nagsimula ‘yung EC-READ,” he added.
Meanwhile, YSA recipient Miñoza from ICNHS stated that their project, S.A.G.A.N.A, is designed to boost farmers’ income by preventing crop loss and addressing challenges posed by traditional farming methods and climate change.
The next generation of engineers and scientists
Echoing the sentiment of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, DOST-SEI Officer-in-Charge Albert G. Mariño referred to the participants as the “pag-asa ng bayan” (hope of the nation).
“Your curiosity and creativity manifest your potential to invent the future, and in your hands lies the power to change the country and mold our nation for a better tomorrow,” he said in his closing message.
Sec. Solidum, on the other hand, recognized the students as the next generation of engineers and scientists for their innovations that will benefit communities. He also said that he is looking forward for the students’ projects to reach the Filipino masses and to embody the ‘agham na mararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino’.
Sec. Solidum also officially opened the 8th cycle of the imake.wemake competition for the following year.
