The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) installed its digital science libraries in five public schools in Malimono, Surigao del Norte.
The DOST-Caraga through Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC)-Surigao del Norte installed Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations or STARBOOKS in the rural and geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflicted areas (GIDCAs) in the province.
The installation of the digital science libraries was aimed at supplementing blended learning amid the pandemic and help the students cope with the new normal in education especially in the GIDCAs in the province, DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said.
Among the recipients of the STARBOOKS were Malimono Central and Manhuyay Elementary Schools.
"After the installation, the schools’ IT personnel and librarian will be capacitated on system management. It covers generating reports, teaching students to create accounts, and navigating resources for efficient use of the digital library,” de la Peña said.
STARBOOKS 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.
The DOST launched in July a gamified quiz mobile app subbed as STARBOOKS WhiZ in a move to further stimulate interest in science and technology, foster innovation, and inspire invention among all Filipinos, especially the youth.
Currently, there are 5,127 STARBOOKS pods in all regions in the Philippines.
In February 2020, the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) signed a partnership agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to have more STARBOOKS pods in schools.