An agency under the Department of Science and Technology is holding a contest for TikTok content creators who could boost Filipino interest in science and technology through the widely popular video sharing app.
The DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development on Monday launched the competition for science communicators in partnership with the Chinese social media giant, ABS-CBN reported.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit said a total of $2,000 (about P112,000) worth TikTok promotional coupons and exclusive merchandise will be up for grabs in the competition dubbed “Pinoy Science STAR (Science and Technology Advocates for Research) 2022.”
Winners “will be part of the Pinoy Science pool of content creators” and would meet experts who could help improve their skills, the council added on Facebook.
“We encourage our scientists, researchers, science communication practitioners, and media and communications students to participate in this competition and harness your skills in turning science concepts to an entertaining and informative manner,” Paringit said.
The DOST believes TikTok can help more people understand science.
“The challenge is to reach people where they are… One out of 3 Filipinos are on TikTok. We hope that in this partnership we would be able to share the different technologies that we have,” said DOST-PCIEERD information group head Mark Ivan Roblas.
“We also see the challenge of translating research [into] something that is more accessible to our citizens. This is why we are using this kind of platform, we are trying to reach the public through entertainment,” he added.
Interested participants must be 18 years and older, live in the Philippines, and have an active TikTok account. Entries will be judged on judged on their delivery of scientific knowledge, accuracy, visual appeal, creativity, and online impact.
There will be a semi-final round before the DOST- PCIEERD picks the top 3 winners. Participants may join until September 2022.