RISE Philippines 2023: A Resounding Success
After a three-year hiatus from conducting the RISE program in person due to the pandemic, we were thrilled to reintroduce a series of exciting and hands-on science activities to rural and remote communities in the Philippines. Over 160 teachers and 80 students registered for the training in three Philippine locations: Tarlac, Puerto Princesa and Iloilo.
This year's program introduced a slight change by seamlessly integrating electronics, programming, locally available materials, community needs, and captivating science tricks to actively engage students. In one lesson, teachers participated in hands-on activities to gain insights into the heart and promote cardiovascular health. They created heart models to visualize blood flow and acquired knowledge about pulse meters, programming, and their practical use. Following this, teachers measured heart rates at rest and after engaging in enjoyable physical activities, resulting in an enlightening and enjoyable learning experience.
The revamped RISE program garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from teachers. A remarkable 100% of teachers rated the training as excellent, citing its significant impact on their knowledge and teaching strategies in science and technology. They also expressed increased confidence and effectiveness as facilitators of learning. One teacher, provided the following feedback:
“This 3-day science camp is indeed a very good learning opportunity for us teachers. The topics are very timely, focusing on the integration of programming in teaching science, which sparks the interest of learners. Thus, we could inculcate in our learners that learning science is fun. I hope that there will be another science camp for teachers similar to this in the future. Thank you so much.”
