The DOST – EVSU Scholars’ Council for Leadership, Assistance, and Responsibilities (ESCoLAR) launched a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fair in line with the Science Month Celebration held at the Miguel Romualdez Memorial Auditorium, today, October 9.

The said fair was conducted to spark students’ interest and engagement in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, with the collaboration of STEM-related college organizations, bringing a variety of academic presentations, projects and experimentations.

Various booths from these participating organizations were installed inside the event venue that featured their respective collection of outstanding academic outputs and awards garnered which was then subjected to judgement for who among them instilled a remarkable presentation.

Among the seven competing organizations, the Science Education Students Society (SCIEDSS) clinched the People’s Choice Award and received cash and a certificate of recognition.

Moreover, the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP) was hailed as the STEM Icon of Excellence 2023 while the Mathematics Education Students Society (MathESS)was the DOST-ESCoLAR STEM Showcase Awardee.

The panel of judges who assessed and determined the winning organizational booths was comprised of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension Services Dr. Analyn Espano, Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) Director Dr. Sonia Enrile, Executive Assistant to the University President Mr. Rex Palompon, DOST-ESCHoLAR Adviser Mr. Arvin U. Pacoma and Scholarship Staff of DOST-Region 8 Jone James O. Rosales.

Meanwhile, Verone A. Espanto, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry student and the Council Chairman of DOST- ESCoLAR, stressed that the main purpose of bringing the STEM Fair was collaboration between different organizations and fostering unity amongst EVSUnistas.

“This is the first STEM Fair nga nagcocollab it iba na mga organizations, kay walang event nga nag-unite hin mga related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics na programs. We, the organizers, come from different programs so why not we make out from our different backgrounds,” she expressed.

She added that this STEM Fair will recur every year and will serve as an avenue for different STEM-related organizations to collaborate, engage, and establish camaraderie.

Ms. Alexandra Bianca Creer of BSED Science expressed her heartfelt gratitude as one of the participants of the STEM Fair for it had helped her to have confidence and communicate well with their presentation and displays.

“As being one of the participants of the first ever STEM FAIR at EVSU, I could really say that it was a good opportunity for all of us, me and my team was grateful for that event, it didn’t just help us enhance our communication skills but it also helped boosting our self-confidence into a different level, and also the excitement while discussing was different,” Ms. Creer said.

Furthermore, Karl Tingzon of BS Civil Engineering shared that STEM Fair was not new to him as an audience but as a participant it brought him a different level of excitement as he conveys and showcase their field in engineering.

“I already attended such events in high school (events that have the same setup like the STEM Fair) when I was just a part of the audience, listening and exploring to things I was so inquisitive about, and it is very different and nerve-wracking that the tables have turned, seeing myself now as one of the people who is being interrogated and explaining our field in engineering,” he conveyed.

The event ended with the awarding of certificates to the winning organizations.

Article by Carol Morados and Rustle King Embodo