Getting inside science

TODAY’S world revolves around information and communications technology (ICT), with many people becoming dependent on their computers, the Internet, mobile phones and portable devices. Students are taking up computer-related courses in college after seeing the promise of fat paychecks and traveling abroad. Not since the early 70s have we seen this kind of surge in enrollment in computer-related courses, largely due to the increase in ICT requirements across industries and nations.

But what few young people know or even understand is that all underlying principles behind ICT hardware and software are rooted in the most basic of all developments — and that is science and technology and mathematics. It is the laboratory scientists and researchers who toiled long and hard to find the best type of materials and best processes to make any equipment work. Metallurgists and chemists find the right raw materials for any hardware. Electrical and electronics engineers come up with the integrated chips. Mathematicians develop the software embedded in these chips. Even environmental scientists are part of the growing ICT industry as they come up with strategic routes where huge fiber optic cables will be laid across land and sea. These are the men and women who work behind the scenes to make ICT come to life.

But ICT is just one industry that benefits from researches in science. Agriculture, education, energy, medicine, earth sciences, and meteorology are just a few of the many areas where scientific research can have full effect. The list could just go on and on but the basic argument is that science and technology is a huge, integral part of society.

The Philippines only has a few science and technology reporters, some of whom work for daily newspapers, trade magazines and radio. But because of the nature of science and technology as being too technical, the few articles that do come out have to be toned down to ensure they are understood not only by scientists but also by ordinary people. However, a few stories that do come out have a significant impact on many people who value the application of science in their respective industries.

The Department of Science and Technology is among the most important organizations in government. Despite its relatively small budget, the DOST has been able to maintain the various projects of its almost two dozen sub-agencies.

But apart from the DOST, colleges and universities are also involved in the field of research, either on their own or in partnership with the DOST. Their involvement has a particular importance in that students get to apply what they learn in school to actual practice, even as the scientific community is assured of the availability of future scientists who will continue working. There are dozens of colleges and universities, both public and private, that have a teeming population of students who want to get involved in scientific endeavors. These schools also deserve the space to showcase their work.

Inside Science is here to promote developments in science and technology. It is here to encourage young scientists to be part of the community and contribute their work for the benefit of many. It is also here to ensure scientists that their work is not unappreciated.

It is here to ensure that Filipinos will know that many things in their lives were made thanks to science and technology.

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