SOME 30 students who represented the Philippines in international STEM olympiads — in nuclear science, chemistry, biology, astronomy and astrophysics, physics, informatics and geography – brought home 22 medals in these competitions.
An official of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, research specialist Randolf Sasota, said such achievements prove that Filipinos have the ability to shine and excel given proper support.
DOST Undersecretary Moridon Sahagun, for his part, said the country needs more science professionals; as it is, these subjects are not very popular because they are perceived as difficult.
Then, too, the resulting working environment is not conducive to make these scientists stay and pursue their line of work. Often, it means choosing between staying at a science institution in the Philippines, providing expert support to decision makers, or going abroad and earning a bigger amount than they could earn here.
The bureaucracy, and all its attendant complications and opportunities for straying, could also be a roadblock in performing jobs grounded in exactitude.
For instance, are not the laws of science the only determinant of whether a project is of engineering soundness, and whether it has been completed as specified?
Does not science also lay down which areas in the country are more vulnerable to flooding and storm surges in the event of extreme weather events?
And will not science and logic tell us whether the promises of a particular politician align with their previous record?
More than knowledge per se, a scientific inclination would serve our nation well. It means banking on evidence before making any claims or generalizations. It entails refraining from jumping to conclusions without adequate basis, and trusting only what is measurable in determining whether a project is sound or not.
There are already too many talkers in our society. Those who are armed with numbers, figures, and models are relegated to the background.
Indeed the government should step up its efforts to provide support and incentives to students showing interest and facility in the sciences and related fields. We do need more science professionals in our midst. Alongside this, it is also ideal to develop a scientific orientation that does not easily believe in pronouncements, no matter how loudly or controversially they are made.
