More than 100 students from three public high schools in Taguig City had a fun-filled learning experience during the kick-off ceremonies of the 2015 Science Film Festival held in the Philippine Science Heritage Center Auditorium at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) complex, Bicutan, Taguig last October 21.
The students learned about ?painting? with light using camera tricks and the negative effects of too much artificial light to the environment in the two opening films of the festival, namely ?The Light Elephant? and ?Nine and a Half?Light Pollution.?
The Science Film Festival is organized by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with DOST?s Science Education Institute (SEI) and other partners. It features 44 science films from around the world to be screened for free in schools, universities, museums, and other educational centers in the country until December 9 of this year.
This year?s theme is ?Light? which is in accordance with the United Nation?s ?International Year of Light? celebration.
Right after the film showing, the participants were grouped and made to perform hands on experiments involving light. The activities included making their own ?mini 3D cinema? using clear CD plastic cases cut and taped together to form a pyramid and put atop of a tablet; creating their own lava lamps using common household materials; and making LED throwies.
The parallel activities or experiments were aimed at reinforcing the learning of science concepts from the films.
Wows and ahs echoed in the room every time the lights were turned off as they marveled at their own creations.
?Thanks to DOST for this unique experience. I really enjoyed watching ?The Light Elephant? and making the hologram. Since the activities are reproducible, we can also do them with my schoolmates,? said Bea Suavengco, a student of Taguig Science High School.
Cherry Ignacio of Tipas National HighSchool also commended the DOST and Goethe Institut for organizing the activity and said that the kids were able to appreciate science better especially through the two short films.
?The activities prepared were good. The kids were really amazed,? she added.
Meanwhile, SEI director Josette T. Biyo, in a message delivered by deputy director Maria Teresa De Guzman during the opening ceremonies, said that the activity has enabled thousands of Filipinos, young and old to see the wonders of science and technology through quality films, created by various film makers around the globe.
?We have proven that film is indeed an effective way in bringing S&T closer to the people,? Biyo said.
This is the sixth year of the Science Film Festival in the Philippines. Last year, the country gathered a total of 103,945 viewers for the Festival, second to Thailand and ahead of several participating countries from Southeast Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.
