Philippine Science High School studes bag major awards in Thailand Science Fair

MANILA, Philippines - Students from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHS) brought honor and pride to the country anew as they topped two major categories in an international science fair held at Nakhon Pathom Province in Thailand recently.

The research of students Joseph Adrian Dela Cruz, Marnoel Cruz, and Justine Ryan Silvestre entitled “Oxygen Plasma Surface Modification of Polylactic Acid-Cellulose Acetate-Chitosan Nanocomposite Fiber: Its Effect on Hydrophilicity and Anti-Bacterial Property Against E. coli and S. aureus” was hailed as Best Overseas Project and Best in Oral Presentation out of 127 research entries around the world.

The awarding was held during the Mahidol Wittayanusorn School (MWITS) Science Fair held last Jan. 27 to 30, 2015. The research was able to discover plastic materials that are biodegrable but at the same time resistant to heat.

The MWITS Science Fair is an annual gathering that serves as an avenue for Thai students to showcase their scientific research ability and exchange ideas and experiences among fellow students and researchers.

It is the second year that the organizer of the fair invited schools from other countries, including the Philippines.

This year’s science fair focused on activities relating to science project presentations, science exhibitions, science zone and collaborative problem solving, and teacher session.

Just last year, a team composed of students from the PSHS main campus in Quezon City was also recognized in the international scene.

Named Most Creative and Innovative during the 10th International Student’s Science Fair (ISSF) held in Moscow, Russia was the research project of Adrielle Theresa Cusi, John Christian Nacpil and Lizbeth Joy Tan in developing an alternative method for measuring the range of motion (flexion and hyperextension) of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the human finger.

PSHS is a science-oriented secondary school operating under the DOST. It offers scholarships for high school students who are later trained towards careers in science and engineering. The school has 13 campuses all over the country, with three additional campuses set to open by 2016.

The newest campus, PSHS-Calabarzon in Batangas City, will open in June 2015.