By Maria Michaela Nabaza
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development announced its search for potential Science and Technology content creators recently.
Called the Science and Technology Advocates for Research Camp 2022, the search is a DOST-PCIEERD campaign to find the next generation of Science Communicators in the Philippines.
“We are one with TikTok in taking an active role in supporting the science and technology community and providing an informative and educational channel for the Filipino audience,” Niñaliza Escorial, Deputy Executive Director, said.
Pinoy Science STARs will be given a total of $2,000 TikTok Promotional Coupons with exclusive rewards and perks from DOST-PCIEERD and TikTok, while the top three Pinoy Science STARs will receive $500 TikTok promotional coupons from TikTok, along with certificates, Pinoy Science and DOST-PCIEERD Merchandise, and TikTok Merchandise.
“We hope this competition brings out the ingenuity, creativity, and sense of humor of Filipinos using science as content,” Escorial said during the launching.
Filipinos 18 years old and above with an active TikTok account can apply for STAR Camp 2022 until September 22, 2022, where 10 selected Science Communicators will be the next TikTok content creators for the Pinoy Science account.
Content creators, students, social media managers or influencers, DOST-PCIEERD partner researchers and project officers are all eligible to participate. However, each TikTok user is only allowed one account and one video entry.
Executive Director Enrico Paringit encouraged researchers, scientists, science-communication practitioners, the media, and communication students to participate in STAR Camp 2022 to harness skills in learning science concepts.
Meanwhile, Escorial urged eligible applicants to create smart, informative, and relevant content with the proliferation of disinformation today.
STAR applicants must create and upload a creative video with the hashtag #PinoyScienceSTARako, containing their name, an explanation of the science behind one of DOST-PCIEERD’s technologies (which participants can view on DOST-PCIEERD’s website), and why they should be the next Pinoy Science STAR.
The Board of Judges will be a five-person team from DOST-PCIEERD and TikTok, with the criteria for judging being 35 percent for Delivery of Scientific Knowledge; 25 percent for Accuracy of Information; 20 percent for Visual Appeal; 15 percent for Creativity; and 5 percent for Online Impact.
The final 10 STAR Campers will be announced virtually through the Pinoy Science Facebook page and TikTok Live.