December 2007 Archives

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net “TRON,” the country’s first official science mascot will be showcased in a series of comic books that aims to promote science and technology learning among students in the Philippines.
Online Videos by Veoh.com Tron was the creation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and made his first appearance during the National Science and Technology Week in July this year. The comic book series is scheduled to be launched in January 2008, in time for the preparations for the DOST’s 50th anniversary. It is expected to be distributed in all public and private elementary schools nationwide. DOST signed up with publishing firm Mango Comics to create Tron’s comic book adventures. In an interview, Philippine Council for Health and Research Development Executive Director Jaime Montoya said the DOST and Mango Comics are in the process of building the storyboard for Tron’s comic book adventures, which will center on science education, as well as the size of the comic book. “The stories should bring out the best characteristics of Tron and kids should be able to empathize with him in the long run,” Montoya said. Montoya noted that the contents of the comics will be strictly monitored by the DOST and the Department of Education for factual accuracy. Montoya explained that comics is one of the most effective media for conveying concepts especially in science since it attracts the attention of children, is easily accessible and can be used all over again. Tron is mainly an android with human-like emotions. Montoya said the comic book will reveal his powers but basically, he has superhuman strength, the ability to fly (as stated in a short preview comic strip) and has the brain power of the world’s greatest minds, notably Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei, among others. The concept of Tron is aimed at creating a culture of science among schoolchildren.

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net GRACE Christian High School won a gold medal at the 6th World Robot Olympiad held on Nov. 18 in Taiwan. The team’s project called Operation Security Guaranteed is composed of a city diorama that has a group of security-based robots that fight fire, catch criminals and ensure building protection from would-be terrorist attacks. The Grace Christian High School team is composed of Bryan Lao, Alyssa Sheena Tan and Mark Ian Tan. They won the gold medal in the Open Category for the Junior Level. The team also presented their winning entry at the newly opened Science Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia. This is the second time that the Philippines won a gold medal in the annual robotics competition. First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities won the first gold medal for the Philippines last year. The Philippines also won five Excellence Awards for the rest of the Philippines representatives to WRO 2007. Awardees included teams from Grace Christian High School, First Asia Institute of Technology, Humanities, and Philippine Science High School-Bicol. The Excellence Awards varied from the Open Category Primary Level to Junior High School. Over 170 teams, composed of 800 students from 18 countries, joined the competition. Lego is a major sponsor of the event. Its computer-programmable Lego Mindstorms robot machines were the primary equipment used by the participants. The Philippine Robotics Olympiad was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and Lego distributor Felta Multimedia. The complete list of winners can be viewed at the WRO website.