ESFDB’s Tobongbanua, Lucero excel in PSS STEM Fair

From left, John Anthony “AJ” Tobongbanua, ESFDB STEM coordinator Mary Rose Lucero, and Angelo S. Lucero pose or a group photo. (Contributed Photo)

The “Importance of vinegar makes the rice last longer,” “Think before you drink,” “How to purify water?” “Coconut juice energy?” and “Adding value to purple kamuti” are the projects Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja students displayed against hundreds of other projects at the annual CNMI Public School System STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Fair held at Saipan Southern High School last March 12.

Eskuelan San Francico de Borja’s science committee—made up of teachers and administrators—facilitated the students’ educational and fun-filled STEM projects, which showcased researches, experiments, and displays created by the school’s ingenious students.

Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja is proud to announce their first place winners. In Cluster 2 (3rd to 5th grade), 3rd grader John Anthony Tobongbanua; and in Cluster 3 (6th to 8th), 8th grader Angelo S. Lucero took the top spot in the competition.

“I am really impressed with the quality of work our students produced. With a focus on STEM, our students were able to compose a hypothesis and use the scientific methods to test their theories. This really supports the cross cutting concepts that unify the study of science, technology, engineering, and math,” said school administrator/principal Carmen H. Atalig.

“It is wonderful to see the students so excited and engaged in their learning while competing at the same time,” added Atalig. “At every level, students couldn’t have been more prepared and willing to share what they learned.”

After winning the CNMI level, Lucero and Tobongbanu will be heading to Guam sometime in May 6, 2016 to compete amongst Guam’s best student scientist.

“This will be my second time competing in Guam. Last school year, I had a chance to go to Guam and participated in the 37th Annual Guam Island Wide Science Fair. It was cool because it was held at the University of Guam,” said Lucero.

“This is my first time to go to Guam and compete. I hope to continue the success I had on Saipan. I would like to thank God, my parents, Mrs. Atalig, and my teachers for their help,” said Tobongbanua.

“These kids really showed that they can think on their feet,” said school science coordinator Mary Rose Lucero. “It was gratifying to see them excel.”

“They (Lucero and Tobongbanua) demonstrated incredible dedication and outside-the-box thinking in developing their concepts, and the results of their hard work really shone at the fair,” said board chair Edward Maratita Jr.

The administration, faculty, staff, and students would like to express their appreciation to the parents, STEM fair judges, and Tita A. Hocog.