OUT OF CURIOSITY. Students from different schools around the city examine the exhibit’s experiment set-ups at the NCCC Mall activity area. (Photo from the official Facebook page of Department of Science and Technology Region XI)

In line with this year’s National Science and Technology Week celebration, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and several organizations convened at the NCCC Mall Davao Activity Area, last July 25, for the 2016 Science and Technology Fair and Exhibit kick off.

In part with the simultaneous nationwide event, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI, in partnership with the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), spearheaded the said regional celebration with the overall theme, “Juan Science, One Nation”.

“This is an opportunity for us to showcase the latest improvements in the technologies locally funded by the DOST, as well as the highlights for the services, products, and programs that the DOST provides,” DOST XI Assistant Regional Director for Technical Support Services Mirasol Domingo pointed out.

Meanwhile, an open house for the new laboratories in the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory Davao was done before the opening ceremony.
Aside from the exhibit, forums on Cybersecurity and Cyberporn Prevention, launching of new DOST programs, and talks from different key note speakers are expected for the event.

“Pumunta kami para makisali sa celebration, at para makita kung sino ang Science Ambassadors sa taong ito—para malaman na rin ‘yung recent technological advancements through the talks and forums,”a senior high school student from St. John Paul II College of Davao, Jackilyn De Jesus, said.

The celebration aimed not only to “bring science and technology closer to the people”, but also to recognize various personalities who have achieved significant contributions and roles in the field of Science and Technology. Among those are this year’s outstanding scholar graduates and science ambassadors, one of which is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

A talk by Engr. Rodnel O. Tamayo, Division Chief of the Materials and Process Research Division of DOST-MIRDC concluded the event’s day one. He talked about updates on ongoing research and development projects focused on improving the country’s transportation systems. This includes the Automated Guide-Way Transit (AGT), Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT), and Hybrid Electric Train (HET).

The event is open to the public and is free of admission charge. It will run until July 27 at the NCCC Mall Activity Area.