Bringing S&T in Rural Schools of La Union with STARBOOKS

October 21, 2024

by DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office - La Union

The Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, through the Provincial Science and Technology Office – La Union (PSTO-LU) , conducted a STARBOOKS Users Orientation and Training for educators from LGU Luna and Sudipen last October 17, 2024.

STARBOOKS, which stands for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosks, is an independent information resource developed by the DOST-STII (Science and Technology Information Institute) to provide access to science and technology information for those with limited or no resources.

At the opening program, Dr. Joel B. Nava, Principal IV of Rimos National High School, welcomed DOST representatives and participants, expressing his gratitude for the project’s introduction to their school. Mr. Chino Roy Estacio, CEST Coordinator of La Union, spoke on behalf of PSTO-LU's Provincial Director, Mr. Jonathan M. Viernes. He provided an overview of the CEST program and emphasized its focus on Human Resource Development in education. “This activity is part of the Project (ACAD) Accelerating Community Academics for Development initiative under the CEST Program, aimed at integrating upgraded technology into teaching and learning, bridging the gap between technology and rural schools, and equipping them with modern educational tools developed by DOST STII,” stated Mr. Estacio.

The seven recipient schools included Rimos National High School, Rimos Elementary School, Rimos Del Norte Elementary School, Santo Domingo Elementary School, Basig Elementary School, Maliclico Elementary School, and Badang Elementary School, each will be receiving a set of desktop computers equipped with STARBOOKS.

Mr. Justin N. Madrid and Ms. Mary Ann Belen-Ofiana from DOST I served as resource persons, orienting teachers on STARBOOKS’ features and operations. A total of seven (7) teachers, two (2) administrative staff, two (2) principals, and two(2) Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators from the LGUs of Luna and Sudipen participated in the training.

During the open forum and sharing of insights, Ms. Mercy Colidso from Basig Integrated School expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, stating, “We assure you that we will utilize this for our teaching. The children will be motivated to learn through this interactive technology as a platform for education.” Similarly, Ms. Femarie Ann N. Corpuz, a teacher from Santo Domingo Elementary School, thanked the DOST CEST Program for providing educational tools and training. “Thank you very much; the DOST has found a way to help teachers innovate in their teaching methods. We feel fortunate to be the beneficiaries of this Technology” she remarked.

In the closing program, Dr. Michelle E. Jaramilla, Principal II from Sudipen, congratulated the participants on completing the training and expressed her gratitude to the trainers, and coordinators from LGU Luna and Sudipen and to DOST I for their support, highlighting the positive impact of the STI intervention on both educators and students.

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