DepEd, partners call for more opportunities for women in STEM field

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Underscoring the importance of involvement, diversity, and access of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, the Department of Education (DepEd) gathered around 500 female learners and teachers to celebrate the 2024 International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 13.

Spearheaded by the External Partnerships Office- International Cooperation Office (EPS-ICO), the event featured activities promoting equality, science and technology, and environmental conservation. The event highlights student exhibitors who showcased their projects and inventions that won them awards in their schools.

"Together, let us champion the cause of gender equality and build a future where every girl, every woman can reach for the stars and unleash their scientific potential,” DepEd NCR Regional Director Jocelyn D.R Andaya said in her welcome message.

RD Andaya, also underscored the significant shift of enrollees in the STEM programs of DepEd. In SDO Manila alone, 51% of STEM program enrollees are girls, signaling the narrowing of gender gaps in science and technology among girls and boys.

Additionally, the program also highlighted the efforts of DepEd partners in ensuring that girls were given the same importance, opportunities, and platforms in the male-dominated field.

Executives from partner organizations and agencies like the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Inc., FELTA Multimedia Inc., Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), UNILAB Foundation Inc., Department of Science and Technology (DOST), STI Education, and Empower Ability gave presentations on how their organizations and agencies can act as a springboard for female learners who wishes to pursue further education and careers in STEM.

Afterward, the learners were given an opportunity to ask the guest panelists questions during the program's open forum part.

Member learners and teachers for Youth for Environment in Schools (YES-O) are also invited to the event as the program kicked off with an onsite eco-tour led by SM Supermalls.

In this tour, the 35 participants were guided inside SM North EDSA to their facilities on solid waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and air quality programs. The eco-tour aims to inspire these YES-O officials and members to take part in the responsibility and caring for the environment.

UP Atmospheric Physicist Takes to the Skies with NASA: Monitoring Air Quality on NASA817

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Dr. Gerry Bagtasa of the UP Diliman College of Science – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD – CS IESM) took flight with NASA last Sunday, February 11, 2024, as part of an air pollution measurement campaign called ASIA-AQ (Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality).

NASA817—more specifically the NASA DC-8 plane—is an airborne science laboratory based in NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. It is flown to other parts of the world to gather data to support the research and experiments undertaken by the global scientific community.

The objective of this particular series of flights with the Filipino team, consisting of DENR-EMB, the Manila Observatory, and Dr. Bagtasa, was to assess the air quality of multiple Asian cities by utilizing satellite remote sensors and air quality models. With the equipment of the modified Douglas DC-8 jetliner, they were able to observe the atmosphere and detect various pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, carbon dioxide, and methane, which are not usually locally measured above the ground.

“The purpose is to improve our understanding of the dynamics of air pollution in the region,” Dr. Bagtasa said.

With the Filipino team, they were able to help plan the flights by providing air quality and weather forecasts. They also provided insights into local weather patterns, drawing from Dr. Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory’s recent publications and expertise in contextualizing the data being collected.

Flight path of the 8-hour trip around Metro Manila and surrounding regions flying alternately between 1000 ft and 10,000 ft. 



The Experience

NASA817 flew four times to the Philippines on February 6, 7, 11, and 13, and for each flight, there were a few available seats for observers. Dr. Bagtasa and scientists of the Manila Observatory and DENR joined different flights, and of the 8-hour experience, the plane would constantly change altitudes from 1000 ft to 10,000 ft, then back again, to gather more data at different levels of elevation throughout the region.

“In almost any airplane ride, we encounter some brief bumpy to very bumpy, turbulent moments, right? Imagine that happening for 8 hours—the flight was brutal. I guess mainly due to the low-altitude nature of the flight,” Dr. Bagtasa commented. “And to make it more exciting, I experienced the hardest of hard turns and rolls in an airplane during the flight.”

With humor, he also went on to say, “Most of the researchers on the plane wear some transdermal patch behind the ear for motion sickness. I didn't, and I was in the backmost seat. After around 5 - 6 hours into the flight, considering that I've been on probably >100 flights in my lifetime, it was my first time to throw up in a plane ride.”



Despite the bumpy ride, the flights are crucial to the campaign, ASIA-AQ. NASA’s project presents an avenue for international cooperation, partnering with local scientists, researchers, and experts to implement a unified strategy across various Asian nations in addressing not only regional air quality concerns but also gaining a broader understanding of the interpretation of satellite data and air quality modeling.

Dr. Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory partnered with the DENR to join the flights to provide their local knowledge on the air pollution of the country. While the data gathered on these trips are still being processed and have yet to be published, NASA817 will now move on to South Korea, taking measurements in Taiwan on the way. After Seoul, it will then fly to Malaysia and Thailand. After the ASIA-AQ campaign, the NASA DC8 will be retired.


By: Maria Alexandra Marmol

WORLDBEX 2024: FORTIFYING THE ROAD TO ASCENDANCY

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Worldbex Services International, the leading event organizer in the country, hosted a momentous Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing during the exhibitors' orientation for WORLDBEX 2024, held at SMX Convention Center Manila on February 7,2024.

The MOA signing ceremony served as a symbolic gesture of commitment and collaboration between Worldbex Services International and its esteemed Sponsors as they prepared for the highly anticipated Worldbex 2024 event. 

Representatives from AKARI LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORP., FIREFLY ELECTRIC AND LIGHTING CORPORATION, GLOBALPANELS INC., PACIFIC PAINT (BOYSEN) PHILS. INC., SKYMART/ WMK TRADING CORPORATION, UNITED PAINTS INCORPORATED, DAVIES PAINT PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED, HOCHENG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, MARIWASA SIAM CERAMICS INC., PUYAT FLOORING PRODUCTS, INC., PUYAT STEEL CORPORATION, HAPSUY HARDWARE CO., INC. MAGNA PRIME CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.,MULTI-RICH HOME DECORS, INC. gathered to formalize their partnership and solidify their support for the upcoming exhibition.

We are also joined by our Association Partners, CAMPUS SECURITY AND SAFETY MANAGERS ASSOCIAITON OF THE PHILIPPINES (CSSMAP), EUROPEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (ECCP), FEDERATION OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS SUPPLIERS & MANUFACTURERS OF THE PHILIPPINES (PESA), FEDERATION OF FILIPINO-CHINESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, INC. (FFCCCII), GREEN ARCHITECTURE PHILIPPINES (GREENAP), GREEN RESTORATIVE ACTIONS AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (GRASS), INSTITUTE OF INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (IIEE), LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS AND INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (LACISAP), MARBLE ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (MAP), PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES, INC. (PAEII), PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (PALA), PHILIPPINE CHAMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES & ECOZONES (PCIE), PHILIPPINE PAINT AND COATINGS ASSOCIATION (PPCA), PHILIPPINE CHAMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES & ECOZONES (PCIE), PHILIPPINE GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (PHILGBC), PHILIPPINE HARDWARE FOUNDATON INC. (PHFI), PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (PIA), PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERS (PIEP), PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF INTERIOR DESIGNER (PIID), PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (PSME), PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF MASTERS PLUMBER AND PLUMBING ENGINEERS, INC. (PSMPE), PHILIPPINE WOOD PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION (PWPA), and UNITED SUPPLIERS OF THE PHILIPPINES (USP).

WORLDBEX 2024 promises to be a groundbreaking event, bringing together industry leaders,innovators, and enthusiasts to explore the latest worldwide trends and global developments in the field. With the support and participation of its sponsors, partners, and exhibitors, Worldbex Services International is poised to deliver another successful and impactful exhibition that will Drawn everyone to Ascendancy.

WORLDBEX 2024 will be happening on March 14-17, 2024 at TWO MEGA Venues! World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center Manila.

WORLDBEX 2024 is organized by Worldbex Services International.

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