By Leilanie Adriano/Philippine News Agency
LAOAG CITY — Student-researchers at the Piddig National High School in Ilocos Norte are taught to become innovative by applying science and technology-based concepts in practical inventions to make lives easier for the people.
Dinah Dumlao, science teacher at the PNHS, said Thursday their Junior High School students have been engaged in investigatory projects as part of their science classes to prepare them for higher concepts of scientific skills.
“Learning science has never been easy. Students learn in their science classes to explain principles, theories, and concepts behind inventions,” Dumlao said.
In preparation for the annual conduct of the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the school launched the Innovate, Create and Collaborate (ICreCo) program to prepare their students.
Under this program, Grade 12 students under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand are guided to make various experiments to solve specific problems in the community.
Dumlao said they take pride in their student-inventors Neil Bryant I. Lucas, Brian V. Alberto, and Jayferson R. Manuel who invented the BRYSON portable leaves shredder.
The machine was made to help maintain and promote cleanliness in the school through waste segregation. Collected leaves are shredded to decompose easily, which students in Agri-Crops Production use in vermiculture.
On the other hand, to help farmers eradicate the siam weed (Chromolaena odorata), locally known as the “Martial Law” plant, Justin John A. Gacad, Kristal May E. Pablo and Angelito M. Portillo turned them into lotion. Siam weed contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
The availability of paragis (Eleusine indica) made the researchers decide to come up with a paragis soap. Paragis is said to have protein and its leaves have silicon monoxide, calcium oxide, and chlorine compounds.
Other student-researchers, such as Jennifer C. Yabes, Alliyah Winnette G. Gaoaten, and Mia Fhanny S. Dorotan, were inspired to use the locally abundant sambong (Blumea balsamifera) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) for a herbal cream because study shows they have expectorant, antispasmodic and antidiarrheal benefits.
Meanwhile, Roxanne V. Tumaliuan, Noela Jane P. Baliclic, and Aslei Joyce C. Baniaga also invented a portable multi-purpose pulverizer to make bread and pastry products.
Backed by the local government of Piddig, Dumlao shared that the students’ inventions have great potentials in solving problems of the community.
“The inventions of the students may be just simple but their self-motivation in helping others is a fulfilling experience and a source of joy, thus, promoting happy school movement in PNHS,” she said.
Dumlao noted that the school gives priority to this program in support of the students’ future, as stated under Republic Act 7459, known as the “Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines”, a state policy to focus on invention and use of the country’s available resources to promote the common good.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website.
