The Pasig City local government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) distributed 3D printers and science kits to some public high schools in the city.
The printers and kits were turned over during simple rites held at the Library Hub of the Pasig Schools Division Office (SDO) in Barangay San Nicolas.
Present at the event were Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Rep. Roman Romulo, SDO Superintendent Dr. Sheryll Gayola, DOST-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Engr. Romelen Tresvalles, and other school and agency representatives.
Among the beneficiaries were Buting Senior High School, Eusebio High School, Kapitolyo High School, Nagpayong High School, Pasig City Science High School, Pinagbuhatan High School, Maybunga High School, Rizal High School, San Lorenzo Ruiz Senior High School (SHS), and Santolan High School.
Each school received one unit of an Ender 5 S1 3D Printer, along with a Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education (VISSER) kit, both provided by Makerlab Electronics.
The VISSER kits will allow students to "conduct over 50 science experiments in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering," according to the DOST.
The provision of the printers and kits was part of the DOST-NCR's STEMbooster project under the "Push 4 Science" initiative.
The project specifically aims to strengthen the "maker education" in Pasig schools, encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students to create, innovate, and transform ideas.
The DOST seeks to help foster innovation in young STEM learners by providing advanced technologies and equipment to schools for students to freely access and use.
Sotto expressed gratitude to the DOST and the local government's support for the project.
"We need to keep up with the rapid development of technology. Exposure and hands-on experience go a long way," said the mayor.
In November 2022, the DOST-NCR and Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) launched the "Push 4 Science" program in Pasig City.
Its primary objective was to promote STEM within public schools through interactive science and technology projects, and entice students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM.