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If the future rests in the youth, then the students from the Philippine Science High School (affectionately called “Pisay” or “PhiSci”) are just the perfect fit. They took center stage on the last day of the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the young brilliant minds in the country presented their research studies and talents in robotics.


The last day event titled “Aghamazing na, Scienterrific pa!” featured student exhibits from the PSHS system that focused on the students’ scientific studies in the 12 campuses all over the country, including the newest campus in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao.

Some of the most promising researches included the following: Android-based Road Quality Assessment Tool from PSHS-Main by Gabriel Borja; Goat’s Foot Creeper and Coconut Leaf Pulp for Cardboard Production from PSHS Ilocos Region; the Ferntastic, Ferntabulous, Fernilicious Fern called Barangbang for its antimicrobial properties and Cat Claw pesticide from PSHS Cagayan Valley Region; Wireless Programmable Relay Switches from PSHS Central Visayas Region; Mahogany Seed as Biodiesel Fuel Substitute from PSHS Easter Visayas Region; the Larvicidal Properties of Sweet Basil Against Aedes aegypti (dengue virus) from PSHS Bicol Region; and the Solmech Charger for Cellular Phones from PSHS Central Mindanao Region.


What attracted the visitors composed mostly of elementary and high school students from Metro Manila and nearby provinces was the ROBOlusyong Atletika, an exhibit and demonstration of robotics technology applied on interactive games, robots that perform simple tasks of moving and carrying things, voice activated robots, and radio controlled vehicles. Other exhibits featured amazing tricks and mind boggling experiments like the math magic Tricks using colored toothpicks and the Growing Cystals using chemistry.


The Pisay exhibits were opened by no less that DOST Undersecretary Fortunato dela Pena, PSHS System Director Josette Biyo and heads of the PSHS regional campuses. “I am very happy to see so many students today despite being a Saturday and I commend also the teachers who accompanied them. We welcome all to view our exhibits were they will learn a lot about science and technology and how they are used in agriculture, industry, information technology and many more,” said Usec. Dela Pena.


After his brief message, Usec. Dela Pena also enjoined the visitors to explore the exhibit areas and display panels where they will see the other technologies developed and innovated on by DOST like the AGT; the electric hybrid road train; metrology laboratory; VISSER and LEAP programs for education; artificial insemination for goats and carabaos; superior planting materials for coconut, rice and abaca; the SETUP booth of regional products and services; Project NOAH and DREAM-LiDAR for disaster risk reduction; MOSES tablet; cupola furnace; and many more.
This year’s event dubbed Expo Science 2013 carries the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Road to a Smarter Philippines” featuring DOST technologies and innovations in the fields of agriculture (certified seed production), aquaculture (LAMP technology for shrimps), industry (plasma cutter), electronics testing (ADMATEL), health (OL Trap and eHealth Tablet), transportation (Automated Guideway Transit), information and communications technology, education (LEAP program), and climate change (Project NOAH and MOSES tablet).


For added information and highlights of the science expo please log on to www.nstw.dost.gov.ph/nstw2013/.

 


Students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Southern Mindanao Campus show off their crawling robot that can be used for games and as an interactive toy. This is just one of the many exhibits by PSHS students nationwide using robotics technology during the Expo Science 2013 of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last July 23-27, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. (Rodolfo P. de Guzman, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

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In line with its goal of encouraging wider brown rice consumption among Filipinos, the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) launched its recipe book featuring various ways of preparing brown rice.


Entitled Lutong FNRI: Brown Rice Recipes para sa Lahing Kayumanggi the book was launched last July 26 as part of the Smarter Living Advocacy of the Expo Science 2013 held at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.


The book features 23 traditional and contemporary brown rice recipes developed by FNRI experts in fried rice, rice ulam, and snacks and desserts categories.


As part of the launching, culinary experts Prof. Luchi Callanta and Chef Timothy Abejuela, both of the Center of Culinary Arts, held a cooking demo based on the recipe book. Secretary Montejo as well as the audience had a chance to taste the delectable brown rice dishes prepared by the guests.


Brown rice is being promoted by DOST-FNRI for its numerous nutritional benefits. Being rich in minerals and B vitamins, brown rice can help in improving overall nutrition. It is also high in dietary fiber and can help prevent constipation. Brown rice likewise has a low glycemic index (GI) food, which means its carbohydrates break down slowly and release sugar slowly and steadily. Because they do not cause sudden spike in blood sugar levels, low GI foods are recommended for diebetics.


DOST-FNRI also recommends brown rice because its production requires less energy inputs for polishing, yet it provides higher milling recovery. This would mean more savings and profits for both farmers and millers. (Luisa S. Lumioan, S&T Media Service)



Science Secretary Mario G. Montejo and Food and Nutrition Research Institute Director Dr. Mario Capanzana sample the dishes prepared from brown rice during the Brown Rice Recipe Book launch and Cooking Demo, which is part of the Smarter Living event for Expo Science 2013. (S&T Media Service)





Science Secretary Mario G Montejo (left) and DOST-FNRI Director Mario Capanzana in the launch of Lutong FNRI: Brown Rice Recipes Para sa Lahing Kayumanggi. The recipe book features 23 recipes categorized into fried rice, rice ulam, and snacks and dessert, all developed by DOST-FNRI experts. (S&T Media Service)

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To set things clear about brown rice, Department of Science and Technology food science and technology expert Rosemarie Garcia debunked several myths during the Smarter Living Advocacy of the Expo Science 2013 held recently at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.


Garcia, from DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, revealed the following top misconceptions about brown rice:


Myth # 1. Brown rice is a variety of rice.
Garcia clarifies that brown rice is any variety of rice that undergoes milling process just once, removing only the outer husk but leaving its bran layer intact. In contrast, white rice undergoes second milling process which removes the bran layer. This means that even purple or black rice that has its bran layer intact can be considered as brown rice. The bran layer in brown rice contains vitamins and minerals which make it nutritionally superior than white rice.


Myth # 2. Brown rice can cause digestion problems
On the contrary, brown rice is rich in dietary fiber, Garcia said. Consumption of foods rich in dietary fiber can help prevent constipation.


Myth # 3. Brown rice can hamper the absorption minerals because it contains more phytates than white rice.
Phytates are anti-oxidant compounds that are found in whole grains and nuts. While there is some truth that phytates can slow down the absorption of certain minerals, Garcia says that the amount of phytates in brown rice is not significant enough to affect absorption of minerals, particularly zinc, in the body.


DOST- FNRI has been campaigning for wider acceptance of brown rice primarily because of its nutritive value. In addition, brown rice production requires less energy inputs for polishing yet it provides higher milling recovery which would mean more savings and profits for both farmers and millers.


In line with this goal, DOST-FNRI embarks on research and development on brown rice. Recent research initiatives include extending the shelf life of brown rice to up to six to nine months and developing recipes for brown rice. (Luisa Lumioan, S&T Media Service)

 

Rosemarie Garcia, senior science research specialist of tclarifies the common misconceptions about brown rice in the recently held Expo Science 2013 Smarter Living Advocacy at the SM Mall of Asia


Rosemarie Garcia, senior science research specialist from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, clarifies the common misconceptions about brown rice in the recently held Expo Science 2013 Smarter Living Advocacy at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. (Luisa Lumioan, S&T Media Service)

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When the weather remains to be unpredictable, there is no other way but to apply the most sophisticated scientific tool to mitigate, if not prevent, the negative impact of typhoons, floods, tsunamis and even volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

This is the reason why the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) has come up with a tablet device aptly called MOSES or Mobile Operational System for Emergency Services.

DOST and Project NOAH will formally launch MOSES on July 23, 2013, the opening day of the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week dubbed 2013 Expo Science.

MOSES is a tablet is capable of receiving real-time weather and flood information reports from DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Project NOAH that local officials, down to the barangay level, can access for accurate decision-making eventually to prevent massive destruction and casualties.

DOST aims to provide the 42,028 barangays with this tablets. For the pilot test, 1,000 units are expected to be distributed to different barangays in Metro Manila.

The 8-inch mobile tablet is designed locally with assembled chipset and circuit boards to ensure the availability of spare parts as well as service support. It has a dual SIM function, television, and radio component and is packaged in a rugged shell with a long-life battery that can last up to three days.

Further, MOSES also provides Doppler radar sensor data, water level sensor data and measurements culled from gauges strategically located in different high-risk areas. Also available in the tablet is a hazard map that is updated in real time.

More information about MOSES and Project NOAH are available during the National Science and Technology Week on July 23-27, 2013 at the SMX Convention Centre, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. This year’s theme is “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Road to a Smarter Philippines.”

So if Moses could wave his staff and part the Red Sea, MOSES may be the answer to scientifically managing disasters and allow us to rise above the floods. (By Rodolfo P. de Guzman, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

 

Science department launches MOSES tablet. Dr. Mahar A. Lagmay (right), executive director of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), formally introduces the Mobile Operational System for Emergency Services or MOSES tablet during the 2013 National Science and Technology Week. MOSES is a portable computing device that contains online and communication applications vital for disaster risk reduction and management operations. The launch was held during the Metro Manila Disaster Summit in July 23 that gathered local government officials nationwide for the five-day celebration of the National Science and Technology Week 2013. With Dr. Lagmay is Renato Brion, director of the National Capitol Region Office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. According to Dr. Lagmay, 150 units of MOSES will be distributed to barangays in the National Capitol Region for pilot testing. (S&T Media Service)