STEM on the Move: Walkthrough of Discoveries in UP Los Baños!

On August 15 and 22, respectively, the STEM strand students of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod had a field trip to the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

On their scheduled days, both sections gathered at Manresa School early in the morning in the SHS building and then departed for their much-awaited seminar and tour at the UPLB.

The program was designed to introduce the students to how biotech connects to agriculture, society, and the meaning it has connected to UPLB. In the seminar, they were introduced to innovative research on using mango peels and seeds to create organic products like shampoo, lotion, and sunscreen.

After the seminar, they toured around biotech facilities such as the Food Lab and the Molecular Genetics Lab. They further saw the engineering equipment pilot plant facilities with large processing machines. During the tour, they also explored the biotech garden, where they learned how sustainable practices influence everyday life and demonstrate its natural aspects.

Before heading back to Manresa School, the group stopped by the UPLB Techno Hub to bring home local souvenirs and products.

The two STEM sections had opposite day weathers—for St. Lorenzo, they departed with sunny skies and returned with afternoon rainfall. In contrast, St. Pedro's group departed with rain and returned to sunny skies.

Despite the rainfall, all returned back to school safely, bringing with them not just memories but valuable new experiences and understandings.