Manresa School S.T.E.E.M. Month 2024: Sparking Innovative Supernovas

This November 7-28, 2024, the Senior High School (SHS) Department of Manresa School celebrates the Science, Technology, Engineering, English, and Mathematics (S.T.E.E.M.) month through the “Let’s S.T.E.E.M. Up!” program in line with the theme: Exploring The Wonders of the Cosmos Without Borders Through Science and Literature.  

The SHS S.T.E.E.M. month is an annually held event in Manresa School since 2023 which aims to promote interdisciplinary learning by building connections in science and literature with the concepts of astronomy and the mystery of universe-inspired writers across time, enhancing the critical thinking of students through discussions and activities that interpret cosmic theme, provide an avenue for students to demonstrate learning using creative approaches combining scientific data with artistic imagination, and raise awareness about social and environmental justice from the impact of space exploration, benefits and risks of space technology to different communities.

S.T.E.E.M. month was officially launched on November 7, 2024, at Manresa School's old gym by the hosts, namely Chio Adanaya S. Matias and Jack Timothy T. Antonio. It was then followed by a breaker activity led by the chairpersons for this year's S.T.E.E.M. month, Sir Raymond Joseph L. Bersamin and Ms Mary Joy S. Angobung, wherein 3 random representatives from the Grade 11, Grade 12, and teachers were chosen by the chairpersons to participate in a game called blind karaoke. Next on stage was Catherine E. Cuyugan, Science Honor Society  President, who gave the opening remarks, and Mr. Filippe Pastor presented activities for this well-anticipated S.T.E.E.M. month celebration.

The activities are as follows: Digital Poster Making, Traditional Poster Making, House Coat-of-Arms & Classroom Theme, S.T.E.E.M. Planetarium, Coat-of-Arms Banner Making, AstroCamp, Spoken Poetry, Book Face, S.T.E.E.M. Spelling Bee, Math & Science Wizards, Sci-Lit Personality Cosplay, House Cheer Chant, Laudato Si Luminaries, and In the Loop. These competitions and activities happened throughout the month of November. 

As part of the launching, selected students in Science Honor Society, and Sir Mark Fillippe Pastor presented a role play that showcased different chemistry stunts in an activity called Chemistrix. From setting things on fire to the dry ice, Chemistrix showcases the wonders of chemistry. The role play consisted of Sir Mark Fillippe 'Impastor', Nathan Botial, Enzo Livelo, Aje Caronongan, Daine Gervacio, Anika Mascardo, and the participation of the members of Science Honor Society to make this Chemistrix an entertaining experience for all. Concluding this year's launching, James Alegre led the closing prayer.

On the other hand, the culminating activity for S.T.E.E.M month occurred on November 28. The event started with the cosplay parade of each section, showcasing their chosen scientist or literary cosplay. (Name) brought home the best costume, while Ms. Colleen Camarillo was able to do the same for the SHS teacher category. Then, the SHS students were led to the auditorium where the culminating activity happened. While entering, each section's house was introduced by our beloved emcees, Keith Bugia of Grade 11 St. Lorenzo, and Marlaine Tagayuna of Grade 11 St. Pedro. Then, it was followed by a prayer from Jansen Deves and opening remarks by Sir Raymond Bersamin. The event proceeded with the presentation of the house cheer chant, starting from Grade 11 St. Candida, followed by St. Ignatius, St. Lorenzo, and St. Pedro. Then, Grade 12 St. John started for the seniors, followed by St. Luke, St. Mark, and lastly, St. Matthew. Sir Raymond Bersamin then started with the first half of the awarding.

Moving on, the Sci-Lit Personality competition started, with Monica Parong and Klyde Roa as the hosts. The culminating activity also featured the well-awaited Laudato Si luminaries, where each section showcased their creativity, innovation, and collaboration in coming up with costumes based on Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si. After the luminaries, the awarding of this competition, and the rest of the activities have been done. The closing remarks were then led by Ms. Carlota Caño, followed by words of appreciation from Ms. Crisandrea Conception. The overall champions for this S.T.E.E.M. celebration were brought home by Grade 12 St. John, followed by Grade 12 St. Matthew, and for the third place, Grade 11 St. Pedro. The S.T.E.E.M. month celebration was formally ended by a same-day edit, reflecting on all our efforts this whole celebration and a closing prayer led by Clyde Maderse.  

“S.T.E.E.M. Month was such a blast! As a senior, cherishing these experiences are important since this is my last year in Manresa. I have learned a lot and made core memories with friends and classmates, thanks to this S.T.E.E.M. Month celebration. I am forever grateful for this experience.” - Jessica Sulit, STEM student and Science Honor Society member of 12 St. John. 

“In a simple way to put it, S.T.E.E.M. Month was very busy. Meaning that a lot of things were happening, different events and activities, and lots of collaborations inside the classroom. Although S.T.E.E.M Month was busy, I would say it was also enjoyable. I loved seeing all the competitiveness amongst all sections of senior high, even though we were all competitors I think our drive to win connected all of us at the same time. I enjoyed S.T.E.E.M Month, I loved the theme, I love the different opportunities and events I got to participate and help with during this time.” - Amanda Martinez

This year’s S.T.E.E.M. month has surely shown us the importance of science, technology, engineering, english, and mathematics and how we can apply them in our everyday lives. It also showed us the collaborative, cooperative, and innovative spirit of each Senior High Student as we progressed through the activities and competition up until the end. With this year’s theme: Exploring The Wonders of the Cosmos Without Borders Through Science and Literature, there are no borders on what we can achieve!  

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STEEM was definitely a memorable experience for me wherein I was able to engage in friendly competition with my peers. It was also filled with fun activities that not only advocated for the environment and allowed us to explore the cosmos, but they were also just simply fun with Astrocamp and SciLit being a big highlight. 

- Ryle Samaniego of House Mirach (11 - St. Lorenzo)

Personally, STEEM Month really was a great time with my section and challenged me in such a way to be creative yet efficient. Given that our section only really had a week to prepare for everything because of Finals, it really taught us how to be creative and cooperate in accomplishing a shared goal. - Matthieu Melendrez

“Trauma ung lng tnx” 

- Raul Sande of House Polaris (12 - St. Mark)

In a simple way to put it, S.T.E.E.M. Month was very busy. Meaning that a lot of things were happening, different events and activities, and lots of collaborations inside the classroom. Although S.T.E.E.M Month was busy, I would say it was also enjoyable. I loved seeing all the competitiveness amongst all sections of senior high, even though we were all competitors I think our drive to win connected all of us at the same time. I enjoyed S.T.E.E.M Month, I loved the theme, I love the different opportunities and events I got to participate and help with during this time. 

- Amanda Martinez of House Cassiopeia (11 - St. Candida)

“I would say it was so fun to explore as a class. To have different competitions joined by classmates and ignite skills within us, we got to bond more together as a class and spent time with each other working to bring out the best in ourselves in each competition.” 

- Karl Gatbonton of House Ignis (11 - St. Ignatius)

“I was very grateful for S.T.E.E.M. Month this year for the luxury of opportunities it has given the students, especially for the winning sections (ST. JOHN REPRESENT). It was also a joy to be able to see everyone's hard work not going unnoticed” 

- Zion Cantano of House Orion (12 - St. John)

“The STEEM Month celebration presented the SHS students a platform to pause and look around our community. We, as an educative community, realized how stagnant society is, being stuck in a system that sticks to the industrial past and does not consider the effects of this lifestyle. In particular, the Laudato Si Luminaries inspired the community to start moving away from this. Identify, initiate, inspire; the idea that encouraged me to join the luminaries. Preparing the advocacies felt like the right approach for the STEEM month as a section. Cygnus Domus—House of Swans. Elegant animals that display class, swift movements, and harmony among the land and the sky. As pioneers of an eco-friendly tomorrow, this was the birth of our idea—class in fashion and harmony in biochar. 

- Jacques Ausan of House Cygnus (12 - St. Matthew)

S.T.E.E.M. Month was very fun because all of the events and activities given were engaging and enjoyable. Even though I wasn't able to join the activities, it was still great to see everyone's hard work pay off. Seeing the efforts put into all of these activities were very inspiring to see and that is what makes it such a fun experience. 

- Uri Romero of House Leora (12 - St. Luke)

For me, STEEM month was pretty challenging considering it was one of the major events in SHS especially when it came to the STEM students. But overall, I enjoyed the task and the bond I managed to create with my classmates especially during the times where we all were so stressed and just ended up laughing and ranting to each other to take the stress away. And we can’t lie that there were disagreements during the event but we all managed to work our way through it and learned our lessons that will hopefully be applied in the future events and activities. 

- Rhianne Yarra of House Cassiopeia (11 - St. Candida)

It was really exhilarating. It was my first time experiencing STEEM month, and though it was stressful at some point, the rest was really fun and enjoyable. I think STEEM month is one of the best events in Manresa. I would definitely be looking forward to next year's STEEM! 

- Sydney Barcenas of House Aquila (11 - St. Pedro)

“STEEM month was something new and exciting. the idea of having a planetarium and astrocamp for all students to immerse themselves in science was a good and fun idea” 

- Jaimee Lim  of House Polaris (12 - St. Mark)

“Steem was honestly a very fun and challenging month. There were multiple times wherein we had to face challenges due to time constraints or conflicts because of other issues. But overall, I found it very fun, and you could tell there was a lot of effort and consideration put into the month.” 

- Sofia Pascual 

“S.T.E.E.M. Month was truly a fun and memorable event despite me being in a strand that is not so centered on science. It gave me so many opportunities to explore myself and the other skills I have. I enjoyed several activities, especially the Luminaries pageant, which I participated in. This event was inclusive to all strands and is definitely suggested to be participated by all students!” 

- Andrei Vinta of House Leora (12 - St. Luke)