Sixty-one (61) public school teachers from DepEd La Union and San Fernando City Divisions were trained on Project and Inquiry-Based Chemistry at the International Convention Center, DMMMSU-NLUC, Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union on September 5 to 6, 2024.

The university extension office spearheaded the two-day training led by Dr. Myrna Estrada, a recipient of the Balik Scientist Program of DOST, a program that brings back Filipino scientists from abroad to contribute to the country’s development, and Dr. Nora A. Oredina, lead facilitator.

The group was divided into Year 1 for teachers from the San Fernando City Division and Year 2 for teachers from the La Union Division.

Resource speakers for the Year 1 group were Mr. Jan Kenneth Laguardia, who discussed Periodicity and Tends: Organizing a Store; Mr. Charles Padaca and Ms. Carla Diana Guiner, who talked on Elements and their Properties; Ms. Merlyn Mangaoang, who presented Atomic Theory and Atomic Mass; Ms. Monaliza Callueng who covered a lecture on Parts of the Atom: Electrons and the Nucleus; Ms. Cleofe Torio explored who discussed Ionization Energy and Orbitals; Ms. Franz Jeramienne Lacangan who discussed Nole Gases as the Key to Chemical Behavior and the Octet Rule and Bonding. Resource speakers for the Year 2 group were Mr. Russel F. Delena, who talked on Energy and Entropy: Alternative Reaction Pathways; Ms. Rowena T. Badua who presented balancing Chemical Equations;  Mr. Jan Kenneth Laguardia who discussed The Metal Activity Series: What Can Destroy a Metal; and Ms. Monaliza M. Callueng who discussed Enthalpy: Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions; and Entropy and Enthalpy: Changes in Rubber Bands.

Dr. Angelina T. Gonzales, Vice President of Research, Development, and Innovation, delivered the opening remarks. Following this, Dr. Nancy G. Hoggang, Science Supervisor for the San Fernando City Division, shared a message. Dr. Rominel S. Sobremonte, Science Supervisor of La Union Division, also gave a brief message.

The training concluded with various group activities that allowed the teachers to apply the concepts they learned. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the hands-on approach and the opportunity to connect with fellow educators. The training empowered DepEd teachers to implement inquiry-based chemistry, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment. (By RMV)