By Allison Lopez
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–They may not see a night sky filled with stars from their homes in the city, but an amazing simulation of one inside the Planetarium in Manila certainly made kids scream and clap their hands in wonder and perhaps, in appreciation.

“Ang galing (It’s great)!” said a girl from the Industrial Valley school in Marikina City as she and her classmates stared at the bright dots moving slowly on the ceiling.

“It’s an exact copy of the real night sky,” said Bel Pabunan, officer in charge of the Planetarium division. “Here in Metro Manila, the kids don’t see a night sky like that because of pollution and bright lights. But with the Goto Projector, we can simulate the night sky and project the planets and other deep space objects like satellites.”

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute will reveal in November the 450 successful applicants in the online mathematics and science teacher training program.

In an interview, DOST-SEI Director Ester Ogena said they received a little over 500 applications to the training program, which was more than what they expected since they only introduced the program two years ago.

Under the program, public elementary teachers in mathematics and science would be provided with additional information and techniques in teaching the two subjects to students. One unique feature of this training is that it will be delivered online, theoretically reducing the hassles teachers face in attending a classroom-type environment.

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By Ma. Diosa Labiste
Inquirer

ILOILO CITY–If life’s a lotto, science teacher Josette Biyo has won it several times.

On Sept. 19, she copped another grand prize, the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan award, given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to government workers in recognition of their commitment to the ideals of public service.

And Biyo, 49, who is also the director of the Philippine Science High School in Western Visayas, exemplifies that dedication as a government employee.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DoST-SEI) is calling on public elementary school teachers to be part of an online training program to improve their teaching capabilities in Mathematics and Science, according to a statement by the DoST.

The training is the third conducted by the DoST-SEI, with the first having been held in 2005, it said.

The third e-training on Mathematics and Science will begin this October and will end July 2008, it said.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) recently held several writing workshops in different parts of the country to develop online learning modules focused on agriculture and forestry.

The workshops initially focused on goat production and health and organic fertilizer production and application.

The modules would be part of the e-learning program delivered by the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture, which conducts the nationwide K-Agrinet (Knowledge Networking towards Enterprising Agricultural Communities), aimed at developing and modernizing the country’s agricultural sector.

The e-learning modules on goat, organic fertilizer and bamboo are funded by PCARRD through its Enhancing FITS for Rural Development project.

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