INTRODUCTION
Science education involves teaching and learning science, exploring
pedagogical theories and models to effectively teach concepts and
processes. It prepares citizens for a scientifically and technologically driven
world, developing necessary skills and knowledge for living in the age of
science and meeting society’s goals. This lesson covers basic to higher
education.
SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is enhancing its science education through academic
programs, scholarships, and science schools, aiming to support students in
pursuing careers in science and technology.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM
The top national university in the Philippines offers diverse science programs
and world-class laboratories. During the COVID-19 pandemic, professors
contributed to various institutions, including the Philippine General Hospital,
Philippine Genome Center, and National Institute of Health.
DOST FOUNDED SCHOLARSHIP
DOST offers scholarships to deserving Filipino students to pursue science,
technology, engineering, agriculture, forestry, computer science, and other
courses in CHED centers and autonomous universities.
SCIENCE EDUCATION IN BASIC EDUCATION
The Philippine government is implementing programs to promote science
education in basic education, including the Philippine Science High School
system, various government programs, and private schools, to prepare
students for science studies.
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH
SCHOOL SYSTEM
The Philippine Science High School System is a government program for
gifted Filipino students, offering advanced science and mathematics subjects
to prepare them for science careers.PSHSS aims to develop Filipino science
scholars with scientific minds and excellence. Students have excelled in
international competitions and research, bringing honor to the Philippines.
They are
Expected to pursue Science and Technology degrees.
REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH
SCHOOLS
The Department of Education maintained several regional science schools in
various regions and provinces in the Philippines. These regional science high
schools offer a curriculum focusing on science and mathematics. A system of
selective admission is implemented to these schools to ensure that only the
scientifically and mathematically gifted students or those who are showing
interest and potential in science and mathematics are admitted.
SPECIAL SCIENCE
EDUCATION PROJECT
The Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project, Initiated in 2007,
aims to develop Filipino children with scientific and technological knowledge,
skills, and values. It provides a learning environment for gifted children,
supports lifelong learning skills, and fosters holistic development. Starting in
Grade 1, the curriculum includes Science and Health, with longer study
periods and special instructional methods like investigatory projects.
QUEZON CITY REGIONAL
SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Quezon City Regional Science High School, established in 1967, focuses on
science and technology for talented students in the National Capital Region.
It offers basic education courses and additional subjects for sciencegifted
students. Supported by the local government unit and PTA, the school fosters
inquiry and creativity in science-gifted students.
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
INTRODUCTION
Indigenous science is part of the everyday life of the people. It is considered
indigenous science because it is one of the foundations of modern science.
This lesson will provide an appreciation and deeper understanding of
indigenous science and its contribution to the growth of modern science and
in nation-building.
WHAT IS INDIGENOUS
SCIENCE?
Indigenous science is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by
different groups of people and was practiced by early civilizations (Gribbin
2001; Mkapa 2004; and Sibisi 2004). It includes complex arrays of
knowledge, expertise, practices, and representations that guide human
societies in their enumerable interactions with the natural milieu: agriculture,
medicine, naming and explaining natural phenomena, and strategies for
coping with changing environments (Pawilen 2005).
Indigenous science provides the basics of astronomy, pharmacology, food
technology, or metallurgy derived from traditional knowledge and practices
(Sibisi 2004). Ogawa (1995) claims that indigenous science is collectively
live-in and experienced by the people of a given culture. Laccarino (2003)
elaborated this idea by explaining that science is a part of culture, and how
science is done largely depends on the cultural practices of the people.
Pawilen (2005) clarified that indigenous science knowledge developed
diverse structures and contents through the interplay between the society
and the environment.
Indigenous beliefs also develop desirable values that are relevant or
consistent to scientific attitudes, attitudes in science, and attitudes to
science identified by Johnston (2000) namely:
•Motivating attitudes
•Cooperating attitudes
•Practical attitudes
•Reflective attitude
These cultural beliefs, therefore, can be a good foundation for developing
positive values toward learning and doing science and in bringing science in
a personal level. According to Kuhn (1962) developmental stages of most
sciences are "characterized by continual competition between a number of
distinct views of nature, each partially derived from, and all roughly
compatible with the dictates of scientific observation and method.
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Pawilen (2006) developed a simple framework for understanding indigenous
science Accordingly, Indigenous science is composed of traditional
knowledge that uses science process skills and tools and guided by
community values and culture.
Indigenous Science
•Science Proces Skills and tools
•Community Culture and Values
•Traditional Knowledge
Indigenous science in the Philippines draws upon traditional knowledge and
practices, guided by cultural values emphasizing respect for the environment
and its interconnectedness. It utilizes scientific process skills like observation,
classification, and problem-solving, and manifests in various practices like
ethnobiology, ethnomedicine, and indigenous farming methods. Indigenous
science is important in the development of science and technology in the
Philippines. Like the ancient civilizations, indigenous science gave birth to
the development of science and technology as a field and as a discipline.
Indigenous science helped the people in understanding the natural
environment and in coping with everyday life. UNESCO’s Declaration on
Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge (1999) recognized indigenous
science’s historical and valuable contributions to science and technology.
