The Invention Development Division (IDD) of the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) has visited Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in a span of two (2) months by going digital.
The Invent School Program (ISP) is a two-day seminar-workshop for elementary, high school and college students, designed to open the minds of students on techniques in developing ones’ creative knowledge which is crucial in invention and prototype development.
As expressed by the ISP Program Manager, Engr. Richelle Malaay, this program has become an avenue of sharing knowledge while having fun even amidst the pandemic. “As part of the Division’s way to cope up with the new normal, we at TAPI-IDD are trained to be proactive and innovative all the time. IDD trainors often say that ISP is the most enjoyable program of TAPI and we do not want to stall the pleasure of learning even during this predicament,” she added. Due to the pandemic, the ISP is now conducted online through the use of the Zoom platform.
ISP covers topics on creativity, creative thinking, ideation tools and techniques, invention development, and prior art search. To ensure interaction among the student participants, they are divided into smaller groups during the workshops. Best performing group is acknowledged at the end of the webinar and awarded with prizes from the partner DOST regional offices.
Seven (7) ISPs were conducted in various regions such as Region I (Ilocos Region), Region II (Cagayan and Isabela), Region IV-A (Batangas and Laguna), Region IX (Zamboanga), and CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), catering to both high school and college students.
“As a graduating student taking Fisheries, ISP will definitely help me in my thesis and future studies. I am planning to share my learnings to my schoolmates in Los Baños. I am grateful for the speakers who guided us well,” said Arlene Castillo from Laguna.
“ISP is very helpful since the topics are closely related to my course in Electronics and Communications Engineering, since it is important to know our rights if ever we’ll have the opportunity to introduce a new discovery or device to the world,” shared Jeane Francis Banawa, also a student from Laguna.
Teachers have also attended the webinar and participated actively in the activities involved. According to Mr. Denver Dokey, a teacher from Cordillera Regional Science High School shared, “ISP ignited the learners to be creative, imaginative and innovative.” As a teacher, he said, “ISP gave the teachers additional knowledge on the legal side of inventions and innovations which we can use on modifying research curricula for improvement.”
The ISP will continuously be conducted in other regions. For interested schools and offices applying for ISP, a letter request shall be addressed to the TAPI Director attaching a project proposal and endorsement letter from DOST Regional Offices.
DOST-TAPI S&T Media Service
DARLA HASAN