ESFDB students shine at CNMI STEM Fair

STEM first place winners, from left, MJ Mahusay, Jeremy John Atalig II, and John Anthony Tobongbanua. (Contributed Photo)

Rows of display boards and experiments lined the gymnasium of the Marianas High School for the 2014 Public School System CNMI-Wide Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair held last Saturday, March 15.
It’s not every day that the gymnasium is filled with professional volunteers such as elected leaders, scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and doctors to judge the CNMI’s young scientists.

The opportunity for Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja students to communicate with professionals is the most important part of the annual STEM Fair. ESFDB students were recognized for their science skills after the judging concluded.

John Anthony Tobongbanua took first place in the Earth and Space Category – Kinder to 1st grade cluster; M.J. Mahusay bagged first place in the Life Science Category – 2nd to 3rd grade cluster; and Jeremy John Atalig, II garnered first place in the Mathematics Category – 4th to 5th cluster.

Maria Althea Mendiola secured second place in the Physical Science Category – 4th to 5th grade cluster; while Angelica Lucero took third place in the Earth and Space Category – 6th to 8th grade cluster.

“This marks the third year the school has participated in the STEM Fair and I believe it is inspiring more of our students,” said ESFDB science teacher and organizer Mary Rose Lucero. “Every year there is creativity in them and they look forward to next year’s STEM Fair.”

Carmen H. Atalig, administrator and principal of ESFDB, said the STEM Fair challenges students to apply the scientific method and produce conclusive results.

“The school’s science program wants to get kids interested in science so that we can get kids to go out and become strong in science and math,” said Atalig. “We figured that if we can get them interested in science and math at a young age, hopefully we will get some scientists, engineers, or mathematicians out of this.”

Third-grade student Maria Althea Mendiola, who won second place, said, “My winning second [place] is an encouragement to push harder for first place next year.”

ESFDB board president Edward Maratita Jr. said: “The STEM projects illustrate kids’ talents. At ESFDB, we are building our future workforce right here with their God-given talent, which it is why it is so important for our students to stay in school and put in the extra time on their schoolwork. They represent our island’s next great leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

The administration would like to express their appreciation to the parents of the STEM participants, Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan, PSS Associate Commissioner of Instruction and Assessment Jackie Quitugua, PSS STEM Committee, Dr. James and Jocelyn Toskas, Arlo Lucero, and Alejandro Badilles. (ESFDB)