Students from Governor Ferrer Memorial Integrated National High School (GFMINHS) showcased their intellectual prowess during the first-ever Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) STARBOOKS Whiz Bee in General Trias, Cavite.
“It was historic on the part of Governor Ferrer Memorial Integrated National High School to host and, at the same time, conduct this kind of very important activity,” said Dr. Ramy R. Dalida, Principal IV of GFMINHS, in his opening remarks. “Thank you so much, DOST-STII, for this opportunity na ibinigay niyo po sa amin, sa aming mga teachers at sa aming mga learners.”
More than 90 students from Grades 9 and 10 competed at the beginning of the contest on September 26, 2023. The top 20 contestants made it to the semifinal round held on September 28. The five best scorers out of the group battled head-to-head during the grand finals later the same day.
Alex G. Mahabague emerged victorious as the first-ever STARBOOKS Whiz Bee Champion, followed by Jewel Rose T. Bacquian as First Runner Up, while Anthony Gelenno L. Caliwag finished second, and Jankia Iju P. Vallejos ended up in third. Finally, Aeron Karl A. Talosig settled for the last spot of the contest. The winners received medals and gift certificates from the event’s sponsors.
“Nahirapan pa rin po kasi konti lang din po ‘yung time ng paghahanda. Sa tingin ko po, practice lang po talaga before mag-start ang Whiz Bee,” Whiz Bee Champion Mahabague answered when asked about his experience during the contest and his path to victory.
The Whiz Bee questions were curated by GFMINHS teachers from the STARBOOKS library and covered topics involving mathematics and science.
The aim of STARBOOKS Whiz Bee is to contribute to improving the quality of mathematics and science education by encouraging students to strive for excellence in the subjects with the help of STARBOOKS.
On the other hand, winners of the DOSTv and GFMINHS’s Video Making Contest for teachers were also awarded cash prizes. Mathematics teacher Jeziah Jahziel T. Bombay won First Place while Loren Mae P. Montealto and Myrose G. Noche got Second and Third Place, respectively. The video making contest was part of the seminar-workshop given by DOST-STII for the teachers who attended the recent Science Journo Ako lecture with DOSTv segment producer, Antonio Capinpin, as the resource speaker.
“From the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute, ito ang aming promise sa inyo: tulong-tulong tayo para sa isang maunlad, mapanatag, at mapayapang bayan,” DOST-STII Director Richard P. Burgos said in his video message during the event.
STARBOOKS is an interactive kiosk system developed by DOST-STII. It aims to provide Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) information to students and other constituents in geographically isolated and economically challenged schools and communities throughout the country through digitized formats set in a user-friendly interface. Incidentally, both the STARBOOKS and DOSTv are two of the flagship programs of the institute that have been included in the National Priority Plan of the National Economic and Development Authority and received numerous awards for being innovative and game changing.
Jacqueline R. Parairo, DOST Media Service, DOST-STII
