Written by Coco Pineda
For the second time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, Inc. (PSYSC) will be taking the lead in celebrating the National Science Club Month (NSCM) this September 2021.
Adopting the theme “Riptide: Science Clubbing Steadfast Against Raging Currents,” this year’s NSCM aims to highlight both the resilience of science clubbing in the country and the importance of raising dialogues that aim to protect the Earth’s hydrosphere.
“News about Philippine floods brought about by typhoons, the fire that burned in the Gulf of Mexico, threats to marine biodiversity, and ongoing debates about the West Philippine Sea prove the importance and relevance of engaging the youth in discussions about the topic,” said Joshua Alex Binza, NSCM 2021 director.
The 2021 leg of the month-long celebration will remain free of charge for those who wish to participate and will feature three new events such as ASIGURO: A Short Video Festival, the NSCM Workshops Fair, and the return of the I Teach Science Seminar (ITSS).
Likewise, the webinar-workshop series, subcamp activities, and the I Press Play competition from last year will still be part of the activities for NSCM 2021.
Binza also shared that the main struggle in organizing the national event continues to be the lack of mobility and access to face-to-face interaction with the affiliates of PSYSC, especially with the heightened quarantine protocols across the Philippines given the surge of cases brought by the Delta variant of COVID-19.
“The pandemic has rid us of the chance to experience science clubbing as it’s supposed to be: interact face-to-face with our fellow science clubbers as we discuss the most relevant topics in S&T, forge camaraderie as we bond through subcamp activities, and enjoy the adrenaline rush from workshops, the competitions, and the solemn Pledge Night,” he narrated.
However, this did not stop the organizing team from commencing preparations for the event as early as July of this year.
“Staying true to the principles of NSCM, the team aims to continue making NSCM the most accessible, most inclusive, and most considerate event of PSYSC in order to involve more curious minds in the discussions concerning our chosen topic, hydrology,” he added.
Binza and the rest of the PSYSC is hopeful that NSCM will continue to keep the spirit of science clubbing alive in such challenging times, as the organization furthers its efforts to deliver initiatives to the youth sector.
Know more about the events and contest guidelines for NSCM 2021 through the official NSCM Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/psysc.nscm).
