UP Celebrates Sci-Tech Week

In our Sci-A, we were taught by Professor Erlinda Gallo that science and technology made our lives even faster and easier. We were also taught that science is a systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. Technologies are specific methods, materials, and devices used to solve practical problems. It means that when science is applied technology is created. Therefore, without science there would be no technology.

The Science and Technology week started last February 19, 2007 and lasted until February 23, 2007 with the slogan “Improving Filipino Lives Through Technological and Scientific Development”. This event broadened our minds about the big impact of Science and Technology on the lives of the Filipino people.

The opening ceremony started the Sci-Tech Week. After that, we were asked to proceed to the different laboratories for the viewing of Investigatory Projects prepared specially by the fourth year students. I was with my friends taking down notes and listening to the students’ explanation about their different projects. I really listened well because I know that time will come that I, too will also have the chance to do the same thing. And with their projects I can get something which I can apply in my day-to-day life. Among the projects, I liked the one entitled: The Effectiveness of Peanut Pod Ashes in Making Hollow Blocks: a Comparative Study. It was about the usefulness of peanut pods (shell of the peanuts) in substituting sand for making hollow blocks. Based on their report, peanut pods contain silica, a substance used for hardening hollow blocks.

Below is a comparison between the sand and the peanut pod ashes in the compressive strength of hollow blocks

% of PPA	% of sand	Compressive S.
0%	100%	250
25%	75%	785
50%	50%	270
75%	25%	no concrete hollow b.
0%	100%	no concrete hollow b.

On the figure above, it shows that if 75% sand and 25% peanut pod ashes are mixed together, it produces a compressive strength of 785. Therefore, the hardness of the hollow blocks depends on the amount of combination of the peanut pod ashes and sand.

There were still other activities, which happened during the week such as Essay Writing Contest, Science Olympics, Poster Making Contest, Slogan Making Contest, etc.

During the last day of the Sci-Tech Week, we had the Radio Quiz. I was so disappointed because Yvon and I were not able to join the quiz. We were asked by Sir Nellas to return home and get the assignment, which he assigned to us. Anyway, we will just forget about that.

The time has come for the closing and awarding ceremonies. Each one were given special prizes. I was happy because our slogan was chosen as one of the winner. We received P60.00 and then we divided it among the group. Indeed, it was such a memorable and unforgettable event.

Science and technology really changed the lives of the Filipinos. Imagine, just one click of the mouse and there... you are now like traveling around the globe. Because of the communication improvements, you and your loved ones are like talking beside each other. So we must strive to improve our knowledge about science so that we can help the Philippines become a developed country.