04 Apr STEM Futures: Expanding our Horizons

STEM Futures: Expanding our Horizons

By: Mrs. Grace Romina Durante

This school year would definitely not be as exciting without the STEM week activities, and ODL was not a hindrance in celebrating this relevant event in ICA. 

Last March 14 – 18, the GS Science, Math and Computer areas celebrated the STEM week with the theme, “STEM Futures: Expanding our Horizons.”  The STEM teachers thoroughly planned out the activities for the pupils, so they may fully realize the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in everyday life. 

The STEM week activities were carried out during the Advisory periods of each class.  The week started off with the viewing of the STEM week teaser, and reminding pupils to use the STEM virtual backgrounds provided for them. The next day, it was like walking down memory lane as pupils watched a short video looking back on how STEM was celebrated in ICA in previous years.  

The grades 2 and 3 pupils were fascinated by the STEM Trivia they learned during the STEM week.  They were surprised to learn new facts about Science, Math and Computer.

On the other hand, the Grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils discovered  a new food-growing technology known as Aquaponics.  Aquaponics integrates plant and fish biology with Chemistry, Math, and Engineering. Pupils learned how STEM works in this food-growing system.

In line with this, the intermediate pupils also had a fun time simulating the creation of Aquaponics by playing the “Feed the Fidgets” game. The challenge of this game is to feed the fidget characters  by growing basil through aquaponics. Pupils who were able to finish the task were indeed happy to receive the completion badge.

As the highlight of the STEM week, the last day ended with the Culminating Program.   Part of this was the announcement of the winners of the Poster-Making Contest.  These posters stood out among almost 120 entries submitted from the Grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils.  These were the same designs used in the virtual backgrounds. The winners were: Alexa Isabelle Jacob of 6 – Serenity (1st place), Anielle Sabine Chua of 5 – Courtesy (2nd place), and Willow Santilly Lim of 5- Benevolence (3rd place).  These young ladies were just ecstatic with the prizes they received.

After the awarding of winners, the pupils had a chance to listen to invited speakers from the different fields of STEM who shared about their professional journey.  We were privileged to be accommodated by these ICA alumnae who excel in their chosen careers: Dr. Bernadette Chua Macrohon (Pediatric Neurologist/Epidemiologist/Scientist), Dr. Margaret Ponciano (Ob-Gyne), Ms. Weaverly Lee (Scientist), Ms. Erin Cheng (Dashlabs Software Engineer), and Ms. Jasamin Garcia (Architect). 

The most exciting and challenging activity of the week was the Escape Rooms prepared by the STEM teachers.  The grades 2 and 3 pupils were thrilled navigating through the Forest Rangers Escape Room, having fun while learning about animal habitat, number sentences, and saving the environment.  Meanwhile, the Grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils worked intently in the STEM Rescue Mission Escape Room, as they solved the  problems in the different missions.  Everyone had an enjoyable brain exercise playing the challenges in these escape rooms while practicing patience, determination and teamwork.

At the end of the STEM week, our pupils realized that learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) greatly contributes to the building of a great community, and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our communities healthy and safe.  We hope to instill in our ICANs the virtues of Generosity, Compassion, Honesty, and Service while applying the skills they learn from the STEM subjects and make a meaningful impact to the world.