MANKAYAN, Benguet – To aid in science and technology learning, the Department of Science and Technology–Cordillera Administrative Region, through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO), deployed the STARBOOKS/science digital library, digital microscopes, and television recently to Camanpaguey Integrated School (CIS) and Las-igan Elementary School (LES).
Camanpaguey IS and Las-igan ES are the remotest schools of Mankayan, located in Barangay Cabiten. CIS can be reached through a two-hour ride using an all-terrain vehicle, while LES can only be reached through a three-hour hike from Camanpaguey IS.
This project is in collaboration with the municipal government to provide the much-needed assistance to geographically isolated and/or disadvantaged areas in the municipality towards giving S&T support for learners in these far-flung areas.
During the turn-over of the equipment, the DOST-CAR and PSTO-Benguet team conducted the training on operation of the science digital library and digital microscopes for the students and teachers.
The digital library, dubbed as DOST STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic Research-based Openly Operated Kiosks), is the first science digital library in the Philippines that can be operated without internet connection.
STARBOOKS contains digitized science and technology resources such as K-12 learning materials, Disaster Risk Reduction Management resources, livelihood videos, investigatory projects, theses and dissertations and others.
Meanwhile, the deployed microscopes have an electronic eyepiece that can be connected to a laptop and television for digital and expanded image viewing.
About 70 learners and seven teachers from CIS, while 14 learners and two teachers from LES will benefit from this project, aside from interested community residents who can access the learning resources.
CIS Head Johnny M. Anno and LES Head Noreen Espenocilla extended their grateful appreciation to DOST for the said assistance, citing that the distance of the schools was not a hindrance in bringing science, technology and innovation to the areas.
“You did see the few numbers of students and how far the place is, in bringing the assistance,” said Aurelia Soliken as she expressed how the equipment will be of big help to students and even to teachers especially in science learning.
