ALAMINOS CITY, March 11 –A student-researcher from the Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) here made history by winning a prestigious international science research award for her project in a competition in Malaysia.
Shairaine Nieves C. Catabay, an ACNHS senior student and his coach, Adolfo Medrano, brought home the “Outstanding Award for Presentation of Exhibit” in the Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists.
The competition was organized by the Southeast Asian Ministries of Education Organization Regional Center for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM) held in Penang, Malaysia last March 5.
Their investigatory project (IP) entitled “Preliminary Analysis of Water Quality Parameters and Population Density of Chironomous sp. as Pollution Bio-indicator” bested 36 entries from different nations in the Southeast Asian region.
The project analyzed the water of three identified rivers in Alaminos City, particularly in Tococ, Sabangan and Bogtong, which were found contaminated based on their respective turbidity level, pH level, dissolved oxygen level and population density using chironomous sp. as bio-indicator.
The investigatory project, a brainchild, of Catabay and other students Elvie Ngayawon and Paolo Alcantara, both already in college, had been conferred an International Corporate Award by the American Meteorological Society last February 23 to 27, 2009 in Subic, Zambales during the 2009 National INTEL Philippines Science Fair.
With their outstanding discovery, Catabay and Medrano were invited to Malaysia for the International event whose theme was “Sustainable Solutions for the Local Community”.
The DepED central office submitted lists of research projects to the organizer and luckily Catabay's project was selected and identified as the official entry of the country.
There were 14 other entries from the country in the Science Research Project Category, namely those from Manila Science High School, Philippine Science High School, U.P. Diliman and other high schools from Metro Manila, Palawan, Iloilo and Surigao.
All the researchers were determined not just to showcase their work in front of renowned scientists and researchers but more importantly to bring home the award and help contribute in creating positive change in the communities around the world.
The tandem of Catabay and Medrano won the top prize and thus earned the respect of their fellow researchers, making themselves as another source of pride for more than 80,000 Alaminos residents back home.
Joining the two were Mrs. Cecilia M. Nisperos-Education Supervisor for Science, Dr. Gloria Reinoso-Principal II and Jose Ramil A. Sibun-Department Head, both from ACNHS.
Their trip to Malaysia was supported by City Mayor Hernani A. Braganza. (PNA) LOR/lvm/lmmicua/rma