The Department of Science and Technology’s Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) announced on Wednesday, June 23, the launch of a "gamified quiz mobile app" for whiz students next month as part of its 10th anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 24.
In a Facebook post, the DOST-STII said it will unveil the app dubbed STARBOOKS Whiz “for students with curious minds” on July 8.
The Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks or STARBOOKS is the country’s first science and technology (S&T) digital library in a box. It contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed “pods” set in a user-friendly interface.
“A decade ago, a star was born in Bicutan and is now reinventing itself with more exciting upgrades,” the DOST-STII said.
STARBOOKS will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Thursday, June 24 with a theme “STARBOOKS @10’To”, which means “STARBOOKS is for everyone.”
“This important occasion will serve as an appreciation day dedicated to recognizing its stakeholders and partners who have been key to the success of STARBOOKS through the years,” the DOST-STII said.
The Institute said it will recognize around 64 partners, including deployment officers from all regions, “for their untiring efforts in promoting the program even to the remotest part of the country."
“The event serves as a thanksgiving for the great effort to propagate the use of STARBOOKS as they can look back at its early beginnings and savor the milestones and recognitions attributed to this innovative learning tool,” it said.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña expressed the agency’s commitment to continue striving “to cut boundaries so we can reach those who need our services and assistance, alleviate poverty, and expand our local industries.”
He described STARBOOKS as “simple and unassuming innovation that has narrowed down the playing field for the digital natives and digitally challenge” as various STARBOOKS innovations responded to the needs of its users.
The DOST-STII said currently, STARBOOKS can also be accessed through mobile applications, providing engaging mobile quiz experiences for students and science aficionados alike.
“This initiative that is attuned to the changing times still maintains the primary objective of STARBOOKS as a learning tool that is both fun and engaging,” it said.
DOST-STII Director Richard P. Burgos said STARBOOKS “is not resting on its laurels as it has set its eyes on a grand vision to map out strategies for future integration of Artificial Intelligence and autonomous technologies into the STARBOOKS system.”
The STARBOOKS was initially created to “revitalize library experience by innovating science learning among students through curated digital resources on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that are easy to retrieve.”