Science for community project Publiscience has evolved from a comprehensive student-research journal to a story coloring book on coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Behind this online publication is the Philippine Science High School in Western Visayas Campus (PSHS-WCC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Publiscience is committed to publish the science research outputs of scholars, headed by Dr. Aris Larroder, adviser and national science teacher, and the Grade 12 scholars, student-researchers, and teachers.

The DOST said since 2018, a total of four volumes of science research journals have been released both in print and online versions.

This included research interests among scholars in science, technology, and innovation presented in various forms, research, experiment, and methodologies particularly from environmental science and health, microbiology and biochemistry, agriculture, aquaculture, computer science, climate change, and natural resources, it said.

“The creation, process, and publication of the fourth volume, however, was challenged by the pandemic but it was released successfully amid the constraints brought by community lockdowns and new normal quarantine restrictions,” it noted.

The importance of informing the children and their parents about the COVID-19 prodded the graduating Grade 12 scholars of Pisay batch 2020 to create a research book about the pandemic in their research class. They presented it as a story book titled “Kids Against COVID-19, A Story Coloring Book”.

The story book was released in mid-2020.

“This special project book for the children contains a basic guide that carries information about the pandemic as illustrated with informational images, animated graphics, and words that are kid-friendly,” the DOST said.

“This book can be accessed by everyone for free through on-line and is available in different languages,” it added.

The DOST said a follow-up research compilation project called “Pamaagi: A Handbook of Scientific Practice for Young Researchers” has been launched.

The compilation was sourced from Publiscience four-volume publication by the PSHS-WVC scholars.

Covered by the compilation are methods from various topics in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and General Mapping.

Pamaagi, an Ilonggo word that means ‘procedure’ or ‘technique in achieving a desired result’, was used to honor the Ilonggo heritage, the DOST said.

Larroder noted that two schools were inspired to start their own school-based journal from their own scheme. “We wish to inspire other STEM students that at a young age, they too can also share the results of their research project.”

The publications can be accessed online for free at http://www.publiscience.org/.

“Pisay’s contribution to the research studies can only stand the test of time and beyond that will benefit future researchers in their quest to find appropriate methods on many research problems, and also to inspire other young researchers to extend their research projects for the community,” the DOST said.

“The Philippine Science High School System, once again showed that nothing is impossible and such projects can be done despite the current challenges.”

The DOST announced that the PSHS will hold Sci-Math Battle 2021 on Nov. 27 as part of the virtual celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week held from Nov. 22-28.