17 November 2022

Innovation is the way to the future and science and mathematics teachers are standing up to the challenge.
The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute recently awarded the most innovative teaching and learning resources for science and mathematics during the awarding ceremony of the 3rd Innobox at the Philippine International Convention Center on October 26, 2022.

This year’s Innobox theme, “STEM Resources for Remote Learning”, aims to recognize teaching and learning innovations that best respond to the challenges and opportunities of the changing education landscape and to emphasize the interconnectedness of various STEM disciplines. The 3rd Innobox had two main categories where teachers from the elementary and secondary levels can join. The Teaching and Learning Devices and Materials category encompasses resources that are originally designed, constructed, and assembled into a set pr unit by the project implementer while the Digital Tool category lists innovations that use original software developed by the proponent(s).

For the Teaching and Learning category-elementary level, King George Barruga of Jose Zurbito Sr. Elementary School - Masbate bagged the grand prize for the project, “Multisensory Box: VARK Model,” while Jeniffer A. Gonzales of Nagyantok Elementary School – Zambales is on 2nd place with “WILSWAP: I-LIKE (Innovative Learning Intervention Kit for Enhancement).” Coming in third is Jobert M. Salingay of Magting Elementary School-Camiguin with “A Proposed Development of Digital Learning Resource Material for Selected Grade 2 Mathematics and Grades 5 and 6 Science Essential Topics for Camiguin Island Learners” project.

Winners in Elementary Level, Teaching and Learning Category shared the stage with DOST-SEI officials. L-R: SEID-OIC Cynthia Gayya, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Jennifer Gonzales, King George Barruga, Jobert Salingay and DOST-SEI Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Marino.

Taking home the grand prize for the Teaching and Learning category-high school level is “STEM Pocket Home Lab: Learning Kit for SHS STEM” by Agustin Owen Peňa of San Pedro Relocation Center National High School –Laguna. Kevin Daga-As of the Philippine Science High School SOCCSKSARGEN Campus – South Cotabato took the 2nd place for his project, “eKahon: A Portable Active Device for Science and Math Experiments,” while Jessie Nava of Sindagan National Agricultural School – Dipolog City with the “Project EINSTEIN: A Solar Powered Sci Math Calculator with SMS Notification System using Aduino Uno” secured the third place.

Winners in High School Level, Teaching and Learning Category were joined by the DOST-SEI officials L-R: SEID-OIC Cynthia Gayya, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Jessie Nava, Agustin Owen Pena, Kevin Daga-as and DOST-SEI Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Marino.

Two special awards were given for the Digital Tool Category -elementary level. Lawrence Patrick Limen of Baraoidan Elementary School-Cagayan received the first award for the “i-Module: Your Self-Paced, Self-Learning Interactive Module“ project and Jennifer Abille of Columban College- Baretto in Olongapo City received the award for the “AlaMath Application: Ang Batang May Alam sa Math project.”

Special awardee for Digital Tool Category Elementary Level Jeniffer Abille with the DOST-SEI officials L-R: SEID-OIC Cynthia Gayya, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, and DOST-SEI Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Marino.

The top prize for the Digital Tool Category for high school level was awarded to “SCinFUSE: Science Fun Unified Session in E-learning” by Sigmund Breton of Lagro High School Quezon City followed by “Science Offline Learning App (SOLA)” of Marjorie Nariz Las Piňas City National Science High School for the 2nd prize. Joining them in the podium of innovation awardees is Madilyn Povadora of Cataingan National High School - Masbate with the entry entitled: “Project DIREcT (Digital Intervention Remote Electronic Teaching): A Teaching Learning Resources for Science and Mathematics)” by Madilyn in third place.

Winners in High School Level, Digital Category with the DOST-SEI officials L-R: SEID-OIC Cynthia Gayya, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Madily Povadora, Sigmund Breton, Marjorie Nariz and DOST-SEI Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Marino.

In her message, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, encouraged the finalists to embrace their new role as innovators, and even as education entrepreneurs or edupreneurs. “SEI will bring these resources to schools who need them most and create more avenues to develop the ingenuity of Filipino science and math teachers,” Biyo said.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, in his video message said that he is optimistic that the tools and resources submitted for this year's competition will emphasize the teachers’ creativity and ingenuity in responding to educational challenges in the new normal. “And I hope participants will continue this path to innovation, as science, technology, and innovation are key to economic growth,” Solidum said.
Cash prizes and a trophy were awarded to the winners. Grand winners for each category and grade level received Php 100,000, Php 60,000.00 for 2nd place and Php 40,000 for 3rd place . Meanwhile, special awardees received Php 20,000 each.