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World Space Week 2006 Report
In 2006, the Philippines joined other countries for the third time in celebrating World Space Week. It adopted the national theme "Space Science
& Technology for Saving Lives", a focus aptly chosen to highlight how space science and technology enables human beings to forecast natural disasters, locate critical areas, initiate rescue operations, and
manage the consequences of natural occurrences and other mishaps. The World Space Week activities were aimed to mobilize institutions and organizations in sustaining the interest of the young students in
science and technology and in enabling teachers and other individuals to advocate the peaceful uses of space technology.
The overall implementation of the 2006 World Space Week celebration was coordinated by the Science Education Institute (SEI) of the Department of Science
and Technology (SEI-DOST) with the leadership of Dr. Ester B. Ogena as the National Coordinator. The National Advisory Committee on Philippine Space Education Program (NACPSEP) chaired by Dr. Graciano P.
Yumul, Jr., DOST Undersecretary, was responsible in planning and implementing the wee- long celebration in the country. The celebration was also a collaborative work of the Philippine Council for Advanced
Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),
University of the Philippines (UP) National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED), UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (TCAGP), UP College of Education,
UP Astronomical Society, National Mapping & Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), DZMM-ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
The WSW activities were held in various institutions in Metro Manila and in selected regions of the country.
Metro Manila Activities:
- University of the Philippines Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry, College of Engineering (UPTCAGP), October
4: The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Philippines WSW was held at the College of Engineering Theater and was graced by the UP Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs who delivered her message, Dr. Graciano P.
Yumul, DOST Undersecretary delivered the speech for the DOST Secretary, Dr. Leticia Shahani, other members of the National Advisory Committee on Philippine Space Education Program and other UP
Officials. A water-rocket model was launched as part of the kick off ceremony for the whole week celebration. After the Opening Ceremony, an activity on "Search and Rescue Using Remote Sensor Competition"
was participated in by high school students and their teachers.
- University of the Philippines College of Education (UPCEd). October 4: A lecture on "Detection & Management of Oil Spill in Guimaras" was
held with experts from NAMRIA as resource speakers. They shared their experiences related to the sunken M/T Solar 1 Vessel which leaked oil in the coastal town of Guimaras in August 2006. Likewise another
lecture was given by Dr. Edgardo Aban, member of the NACSPEP on space technology and its applications to daily life. The activity was attended by students, science teachers (elementary, high school and
college) and media.
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), October 5: The activities conducted were On the
Spot Poster Making Contest, Open House/Educational Tour at the Weather Forecasting Bureau and Planetarium, and Lecture sessions on "Weather Forecasting Using Meteorological Satellites" and "Disaster Monitoring
Using Satellites." These activities were participated in by high school students and teachers from the public and private schools of Metro Manila.
- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), October 6: A Lecture-Demonstration on the "Use of Ground Positioning
Satellite for Earthquake & Volcano" and "Use of Space Imageries for Assessment of Geologic Hazards" were presented/discussed by the scientists of PHIVOLCS. Also there was an educational tour at the
PHIVOLCS facilities and museum. About 80 high school students and teachers from both public and private schools attended.
- DZMM – ABS-CBN Radio Station, October 8: Through the partnership of SEI with the ABS-CBN Foundation and DZMM, Pinoy SciTek Challenge
"Space Science Edition" at the Bago Yan Eh Radio Program was conducted live on radio. There were five high schools from Metro Manila who participated in the contest.
- University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UPNISMED): A Skywatching Session and a
Lecture on "Binocular Astronomy" were held on the evening of October 6 and facilitated by NISMED staff and the assistance of the UP Astronomical Society. A total of 59 students and teachers from invited
public and private high schools in Metro Manila trooped to the NISMED Observatory to participate in the sky-observing activity. The participants were given handouts featuring relevant astronomy
issues. On October 10, UPNISMED also served as the venue for the Rocket-Model Launching Competition and the Closing and Awarding Ceremonies. In the competition there were 15 schools which
participated. The students competed for accuracy and length of distance categories, while the teachers competed only in the accuracy category. In the Closing and Awarding Ceremony, the winners on the
Search and Rescue Competition, Poster Making Contest, Space Science Quiz, and Rocket Model Launching Competition were awarded cash prizes. Former Senator Leticia R. Shahani, Consultant of NACPSEP and an
advocate of space education program gave the Closing Remarks.
- Zamboanga City: The Don Lorenzo Memorial High School had its WSW Regional Celebration on October 9 -10. It was participated in by a total
of 85 elementary and high school students and 28 teachers from the host school and nearby schools in Zamboanga City. The activities conducted were a Lecture Sessions on "Space Science and Its Benefit to Mankind"
and on Astronomy, Launching of Water-Rocket Model by each participating school, Film Viewing about "Deep Space Explorer", and Star Gazing and Moon Watching using the two Meade telescopes donated by the US
National Space Society in 2004.
- Philippine Foundation for Science & Technology: The Philippine Science Centrum conducted a one-day activity on October 9 through the
assistance of the Philippine National Museum-Planetarium Division. A lecture demonstration which explains the various facets of astronomy and its technology was facilitated among the PSC visitors for
free. Groups of 30 students per session attended the 20-minute lecture. Other activities included an open house at the Earth Science Gallery and a film showing on constellation. A total of 500
participants including teachers and parents benefited from the activities.
- Bicol Science and Technology Centrum, Naga City: From October 4-10, an open house was held in the astronomy and other science
galleries. Participants were elementary and high school students, teachers and the general public.
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