The University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED) celebrated its 55th anniversary on 20 November 2019. In thanksgiving, a mass was held in the morning by Rev. Fr. Jose ‘Bong’ S. Tupino III. This is followed by a program recognizing staff for their years of dedicated service to NISMED. Awarded certificates of loyalty were those who served NISMED for 10, 15, 25, and 35 years: Ms. Ma. Lourdes Agad (35 years); Ms. Arlene dela Cruz, Ms Edna Callanta, Dr. Helen Catalan, Ms. Ma Lourdes Espiritu, and Mr. Willie Dineros (25 years); Mr. Guillermo Bautista, Jr., Mr. Eligio Obille, Jr. and Ms Jacqueline Rose Gutierrez (15 years); Dr. Dennis Danipog, Ms Ivy Mejia, Mr Rolando Tan and Mr Edwin Alix (10 years).
In the afternoon, a public lecture on the Fourth Industrial Revolution —The World on Fire—was delivered by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, Dr. Fidel Nemenzo at the NISMED Auditorium. The audience was composed mostly of teachers from public and private schools, from as near as Balara Elementary School in Diliman to as far as Juan Sumulong High School in Antipolo, Rizal. Before the lecture, a soft launch was held to introduce two new curriculum materials developed by NISMED: a chemistry module for senior high school teachers and an instructional video on the construction of models for lessons in plate tectonics. In partnership with the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, an online community for teachers—KaSaMa 2.0—was also launched.
To let students and teachers join NISMED in its celebration, an open lab was organized and dubbed Lakbay Aral sa UP NISMED 2019. The different NISMED workgroups opened their laboratories to teachers, students, and the general public on 21-22 November 2019. In this Open Lab exhibitions, staff led visitors on science and mathematics investigations. The first day was devoted exclusively to Lumad students of various ages and grades and the second day was devoted to public and private schools. Seventy-five (75) Lumad students and teachers participated in science and math activities and 198 students and teachers from other schools visited the labs the next day.
But it was not ‘all work’ for the staff during the anniversary week-long festivities. The NISMED staff were treated to a variety of massage options, as coordinated by the Gender and Development (GAD) Committee. And to cap the festivities, all the academic and administrative staff of the Institute competed in NISMED’s version of the Amazing Race through the joint efforts of the Health and Wellness Committee, and the Socials Committee.
