Sci-Fun Caravan Visits Leyte

Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Tanduay Distillers, Inc.-Tacloban Branch, Allied Bank-Tacloban Branch, PNB-Tacloban Branch, Deped-Leyte Division, and the  Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology brought Science Centrum’s Sci-Fun Caravan to Tacloban Leyte, benefitting 24,000 public school pupils, students, and teachers in the DepEd division of the province of Leyte.  

The exhibit, which ran for one month, at the DepEd-Leyte Division Gym, Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte,was a learning and fun treat to some 20,000 underprivileged pupils ages 10-13.  
The Foundation has been promoting  Science not as a boring subject but interesting and fun. Through Science Centrum’s Sci-Fun Caravan TYKFI helps upgrade and uplift the level of Science in the country, bringing it closer to the population and the youth, in particular, who will play an active role in shaping the future of the nation.

Exhibits include:

3D Tic Tac Toe
Animal Sounds
Anti-Gravity Mirror
Bernoulli Blower
Bridge
Calypso Reef
Changing Colors
Charge Now, Power Later
Chaotic Pendulum
Coin Reflection
Color or Words
Colored Shadows
Corner Reflector
Dancing Worms
Dinosaurs
Finger Tingler
For Your Eyes Only
Frozen Shadows
Gravity Well
Jacob’s Ladder
Magnetic Chain Reaction
Magnetic Suction
Money Detector
Parabolic Dish
Pedal Generator
Pick a cone
Plasma Sphere
Pupil of the Eye
Ring Bubbles
Shadow geometry
Siphon
Steady Hand Game
Stereo Hearing
Subjective Shapes
Tiny Bubbles
Touch Me If You Can 
Two Eyes
Well of Flowers
You and Me Are One
Trapezoidal Window
Your Nose Knows
Zoetrope
Van de Graff
Electric Fleas

Schools Division Superintendent of Leyte Dr. Sarah Apurillo says “I am teary-eyed because I am  so touched by the grand preparations - the stage, program, etc., and most of all, the singing of the DepEd Leyte Hymn where the children sang with fervour, passion, enthusiasm and devotion. The students have a month-long exposure to this very rare equipment. I’m so glad , I’m so grateful , I do not know how to say, I can’t thank you much enough sir Philip Sing and the group of TYKFI, we are all so grateful.”

TYKFI Administrative Officer Philip Sing responded and noted that TYKFI is happy to share educational tools with everyone, saying “Education is very important especially to young ones, that’s why we are here today, to equip you teachers and also pupils students to become number one in the region. I know you are all silently eager to conquer science and when you go back to your respective schools you will have new techniques, new style to share especially to those who are scared of Science.”

DepEd, Region VIII OIC/Asst. Regional Director Dr. Rebecca L. Ragrag challenged the pupils and teachers to apply what they see in their lessons.  

Philippine Foundation for Science & Technology Executive Director May Pagsinohin averred that she “was also touched with the singing of the DepEd Hymn with zeal and ardour; The Science Centrum is proven to be a vital method of “Learning by Doing”- When I hear, I forget; When I see, I remember; but When I do, I understand”; Based on studies by the UP College of Education, 67% of students want to be Scientists and Engineers— hence we should upgrade the level of science education in our country; Science is not complex; after all, SCIENCE IS FUN!”  

Former DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda S. Quijano reminded everyone that “Science is exciting...if experienced, there will be a sense of enjoyment; we are behind other nations, therefore, we should put technology into science; it is through technology that invention is made.  Teachers are the most important components in education - you should look at your students as assets, teachers shape the life of students; Make sure that science teachers will be experts and will get mastery of the exhibits; encourage students to ask questions- this is the so called “spiral curriculum”; Remember the 4Es- Engage, Experience, Explore, Enjoy.”

Palo, Leyte Municipal Mayor Remedios L. Petilla said that when she was a congresswoman, she had been “working for the setting up of a Science Centrum in Leyte - in fact, there is already a building… This will serve pupils especially the students of far flung schools as far as Northern Samar.”

Explainer from Dulag South Central School Corinne Desiree Longsas points to interaction as a defining component of the caravan: “It is fun because of the interaction between the devices and students; output is evident, mas naiintindihan; We have the E-classroom which can explain processes; it is also interactive but not a hands-on like the Science Centrum; In terms of sustainability - we can devise similar simple machines in school - may  tinuro na sa amin si Prof. Roland Moya.”

Leyte Central School English Teacher Flora Gansain says that  “even if I am an English teacher, I learned a lot and enjoyed; learned to appreciate science; concepts are well explained.”

Sambulauan ES School Head Reynante De Lima noted “malaking tulong especially sa mga barrio teachers; wala kaming previous exposure—first time to experience; hindi easy ang concepts, but when you see the real application, you put fun in learning; children are more responsive in this kind of method, than teaching the same concepts in the classroom, appreciate the actual application to daily living - for example, the concept of electrical circuit.”

Comments from students were particularly encouraging and made the effort worthwhile.  

Claire Andrea Nel C. Alcober, Grade V: “Enjoyable, maraming natutunan, educational, maraming related sa science lessons namin; ikukuwento sa mga kapatid and playmates.”

Ma. Theresa M. Basas, Jane Marie Laurente, Antonette Marie Salvo, Elkien Jane Taneza: “It is fun, amazing, exciting, enjoyable, learned about technology.”

Grade 4 Maureene L. Añunuevo: “Masaya at marami akong natutunan, ngayon pa lang po ako nakakita nan ganito. Magiging dagdag po ito sa aking kaalaman. Sana po ay meron uling ganito.”

Grade 6 Students,Palarao ES: “Very fantastic and amazing, di po kami naiinip habang pinapaliwanag samin kung  pano gumagana yung machine. Magaling po ang ginawa nang Tan Yan Kee Foundation dahil marami kaming natutunan.”

Other attendees included: Joram BacorroBranch Manager, Tanduay-Tacloban;  Gaudencio Labajosa Sales Supervisor, Tanduay-Tacloban; Tristan Santiago, Junior Sales Supervisor, Tanduay-Tacloban;  Corita Ong, Branch Manager, PNB- Tacloban; Maria Fe Boco, Branch Manager, Allied Bank-Tacloban;  Dr. Elvira Galvez, Consultant, PFST; Dr. Rebecca Lucero, OIC/Regional DirectorDOST; Dr. Manuel Albano, Assistant Division Superintendent, DepEd-Leyte;  Dr. Editha Vale, Assistant Division Superintendent, DepEd- Leyte;  Felicidad Espinosa, Science Supervisor-High School;  Susan De Veyra, Science Supervisor-Elementary; and Tan Yan Kee Foundation officers and staff.