Website for Students

SMT Days Corresponds to Bewilderment

2011-08-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

The annual celebration of SMT week corresponds to bewilderment. A couple of days or more of Science, Mathematics and Technology observance is suppose to be a revelry - a week to break free from daily rigorous academic battle of survival either to shine and be at the top of all the equally gifted scholars or to be at the break even point which is better than being deficient.

If you don’t know what I mean, I bet you must be either of the following: a freshman PSHS scholar; unlucky enough not to have a relative who passed the National Competitiveness Exam; or a dormant - a scholar who just doesn’t care enough and excitedly waits for this day to come to have enough time to roam around the campus or sleep while the rest are devoured with various activities. SMT stuns the freshmen as I was during my first year of existence as one of the qualified PSHS-CMC scholar.

Being a newbie or a freshman Pisayer will unavoidably bring you to the state of bewilderment looking at the presented Investigatory Projects of the sophomores as a requirement in Biology. Normally, while a freshman reads the IP, astonishment inevitably go through one’s head. Reasons may vary but certainly it will be because of two prevailing reasons; the IP presented is meticulously labored resulting to a marvelous presentation or the reader thought he can do better (lol). Interestingly enough, the first year students are to rate the IP and the research work of the higher years which opens the door for an enigmatic bewilderment of “why’s?”.

The freshmen PSHS-CMC scholars have limited ideas and exposure to the assiduous world of research. They don’t even have a subject or orientation on how elementary and basic research is done. However, they are not guilty of anything, it’s not their choice anyway. Independent Science teachers from other schools should be invited to rate the Investigatory project of the sophies, and the research proposal done by the juniors.

Higher years of scholars bring into play time appropriation and benevolently gouged out research for the purpose of grasping the much cherished recognition of having the exceptional project. how do a freshman rate a duly laborious IP? A large number of them don’t care about the details, certainly they just base their ratings on the popularity of the presenters involved; league’s color matter too.

On the other hand the Pisay-CMC SMT festivity provides an ample venue for PSHS community interaction with other schools in nearby localities and the city of Iligan with the presence of the Invitational Quiz Show. This is a very interesting event as it presents a convenient way of showcasing PSHS-CMC, thereby promoting the campus through the word of mouth which is more powerful than any other form of media promotion.

Considering that other schools, parents and students are going to come, a unified effort by the PSHS-CMC administration should be in place in ensuring that the whole campus and other facilities are clean. I remember previous participants complained on the sound system used and the sound effects during countdown.

SMT days corresponds to bewilderment as bewilderment represents numerous emotions on things and activities related to the celebration of the Science, Mathematics and Technology. Mixed emotions are also felt during the burdensome stage of IP presentations and Research Proposals that I believe, it is just befitting for us to ask for a qualified people in rating our works.

Bewilderment exists as to why only a handful of Pisay CMC scholars participate in what I consider the main highlight of the celebration. Most scholars are looking forward and give more importance to the E-games than the IP and Research Proposal presentations and worst others just sleep and chat around.

"Cyber Bullying" Exposed!!!

2011-07-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

Overwhelming change in universal viewpoint has rapidly taken place as the turn of the new century dawns. Gone are the belief of unascertained horizons as well as unfathomed world terrains. The advancement of technology has shrunken the once enormous world. However, technological advancement turned today's society into isolated populace where each spends most of his time sitting in front of a computer. The onset of such revolution brought into being the concept of Cyberspace. Its creation has dramatically changed the lives of the people and how they interact with one another.

The word cyberspace was first defined by William Gibson in his 1984 book Neuromancer as “a consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation by children being taught mathematical concepts. A graphical representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the non-space of the mind, clusters and constellations of data” (Gibson, 1989). The development of high end computers and the birth of the Internet will create a holographic data bank wherein people will begin to metaphysically interact with people and environment was also foreseen and foretold by Gibson. What he theorized as a non-space place in the minds of every citizen is now happening.

The Birth Of Cyber Bullying

The cyberspace contains almost all kind of information. The presence of the Internet allows access to cyber data in just a matter of seconds. Access to data has correspondingly revolutionized, from the macro presentation of things to the crudest representations of information, and on-line interaction between people became possible. It paved the way for on-line communication through the Internet, use of interactive cameras, blogs, E-mails, Youtube, on-line posts, and other related terms. Slowly, cyber technology altered the way people interact without sparing society's behavior and with it cyber bullying was born.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is an act of bullying another individual, group of idividuals, organization bybtaking advantage of the use of the Internet or other related means. Presently, it has also been defined as a situation when a child or teen is repeatedly tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarassed or otherwise targeted by another child or teen using text messages using the Short Messaging System (SMS), e-mails, or any other type of digital technology (Pacthin and Hinuja 2009).

Cyber bullying is commonly exhibited through constant sending of e-mail, SMS messages, or other similar type of digital communication devices or Internet-based gadgets to an individual despite the latter’s plea that he or she does not want any further contact with the sender. Furthermore, threats, sexual remarks, hate messages, or any other means by which one is ganged up by making them the subject of ridicule in chat rooms, public on-line forums, and the likes designed nothing more but to humiliate and harass is also considered cyber bullying.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2008 research documented a patterned increase of cyber bullying in alarming rates through the years. Employing a random sample of respondents from a considerably large district in the southern part of the US or about 2000 middle-school students, about 10% admitted to have been cyber-bullied in the previous 30 days while over 17% admitted to have been bullied at least once in their early stages of schooling . The research was focused on children and teens because of the frequency by which they use the internet.

However, cyber bullies do not only target teenagers; adults can also be targeted as well. One may think that cyber bullying has lesser or no effect at all to adults considering that adults have the capacity to handle it better. Think again, adults who are cyber bullied often have their jobs, safety and financial status at risk.

Cyber bullying may have in-depth psychological effects on its victim. Fear, anxiety, restlessness and other psychological drawbacks may damage another’s welfare and physical well-being. Low esteem may develop to victims that may often leave them unproductive and lacking in self-confidence which may somehow damage their social worth.

Cyber Bullies Motives

Commonly, cyber bullying are motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. There are also instances when it is done for entertainment or because of boredom and have plenty of idle time on their hands accompanied by the presence of a lot of tech toys available to them. Several numbers of bullies do it for laughs or to get a reaction. Some do it by accident, and either send a message to the wrong recipient or didn't think before they did something. The Power-hungry do it to torment others and for their ego. Revenge of the nerd may start out defending themselves from traditional bullying only to find that they enjoy being the tough guy or gal. Mean girls do it to help bolster or remind people of their own social standing. And some think they are righting wrong and standing up for others.

Different Types of Cyberbullying

There are different types of cyberbullying and it can be done from one individual to another. Cyber bullying can be done indirectly by organizing a group to carry out the bullying.

Cyberstalking is an act where an individual sends messages repeatedly through the Internet or throught the use of a mobile phone. Messages are threatening in nature that instill fear. The stalking might move offline and can become physical.
Flaming
- Flaming entails correspondence with the use of electronic communication channels such as chat rooms, email and instant messenger. It refers to arguments beefed up with images to drive a point and harsh language.
  
  Exclusion
  
  When an individual is singled out and excluded from a group, exclusion exists. The group in turn then taunts the excluded person using the Internet or a mobile phone.
  Outing
  
  Outing arises when an individual shares private information using online communication tools or a mobile phone. That person is then "outed" when his private information is shared publicly either online or off.
  Masquerading
  
  Masquerading is considered as a sophisticated form of cyberbullying. This happens when an individual creates a false identity and harasses another while pretending to be someone they are not. Masquerading also includes attempts to steal log-in information, then using the information in a harassing manner such as sharing it publicly.
  Examples of Cyber Bullying
  The "Star Wars kid," it involved a Canadian teen who filmed himself swinging a golf-ball retriever as a light saber. Some of his peers procured a copy of his video and edited the scene with special effects to fit him in movie scenes, making the "Star Wars kid" an Internet sensation. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the teenager in question "was forced to drop out of school and seek psychiatric help."
  The Christian Science Monitor also reports the case of Calabasas High School in California and the website schoolscandals.com, "on which vicious gossip and racist and threatening remarks grew so rampant that most of the school was affected."
  Finally, a USA Today article describes one of the cruelest cases of cyberbullying as that of Megan Meier, "a 13-year-old Missouri girl who killed herself following an Internet hoax."
  
  Cyber Bullying Legislations
  The first cyber stalking law took effect in 1999 in California, US while the first cyber bullying law took effect in 2007 in states including New York, Missouri, Rhode Island and Maryland.
  
  At present, the Philippines has no explicit legilation on cyber stalking or cyber bullying. Nevertheless using the aforementioned definition of cyber staking petaining to the involvement of false accusations, transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, certain acts could be subsued in the acts prohibited under the Republic Act No. 8792, An Act Providing for the Recognition and Use of Electronic Commercial and non-comercial Transactions and Documents,Penalties for Unlawful Use Thereof and for other Purpose or the E-Commerce Act, to wit:
  
  SEC. 33. Penalties. - The following Acts shall be penalized by fine and/or imprisonment, as follows:
  
  1. Hacking or cracking which refers to unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including theintroduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption,destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic document shall be punished by a minimum fine of one hundredthousand pesos (P100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to thedamage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months tothree (3) years.

What is Biology and It's Components

2011-07-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

Biology is considered a natural science involved in the study of life and living organisms which is why it is generally ascribed to as the “science of life”. The term biology derives from the Greek words “bios” meaning life, and “–logia” the study of.

Biology being a natural science deals with the living world on how it is structured, how it functions and what these functions are, how it develops, how living things came into existence, and how they react to one another and with their environment.

Biology has main sub-classifications that concerns with major classes of living creatures being one of the largest branches of science:

Zoology - the study of animals, along with the classification, physiology, development, and behavior.

Botany - the study of plants.

Microbiology - the study of microscopic organisms and their interactions with other living things

Other than the classifications established on the category of organism being studied, biology also contains several specialized sub-disciplines, which may focus on just one category of organism or address organisms from different categories.

Sub-disciplines includes biochemistry, the interface between biology and chemistry; molecular biology, which looks at life on the molecular level; cellular biology, which studies different types of cells and how they work; physiology, which looks at organisms at the level of tissue and organs; ecology, which studies the interactions between organisms themselves; ethology, which studies the behavior of animals, especially complex animals; and genetics, overlapping with molecular biology, which studies the code of life, DNA.

The foundations of modern biology include four components:

Cell Theory

The cell theory proves and states that a cell is the fundamental unit of life. All living organisms are made of one or more cells. In some cases, organisms are made of the secreted products of cells like shells. All cells contain the hereditary information of life, that is, DNA and RNA.

Gene Theory

The gene theory states that genes are inherited by all organisms from their parents. All organisms from a tiny virus or bacteria to a multicellular organism like the elephant follow the same process of copying and translating DNA to proteins. The progeny will contain sets of similar genes transferred from the parent.

Evolution

The theory of evolution states that all organisms have descended from a common ancestral gene pool on earth. Over thousands of years genetic changes have lead to formation of different species. Over thousands of generation, changes take place in an organisms that may be small or large and in some cases, visible or inconspicuous.

Homeostasis

All living organisms are able to maintain homeostasis. This means regulation of their internal environment to maintain equilibrium with the environmental changes.

Thermodynamics
Energy is transferred from one form to another with the help of food and metabolic processes. Thus, energy transformation is not always efficient, but energy will forever remain constant.

2011 Top 20 Universities In The Philippines

2011-07-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Knowing the ranking of universities is of high interest to incoming college students. Choosing the best university for your children’s education is what every parents dreamed of. I also believe in the concepts of student globalization.

With the increase in world trade between different countries, the rise of new economic ties, the change in the demands of the job market and its movement from one country to another the higher education market has in turn changed its perspective and demands.

Presently, higher education in several equipped the student with the latest technology to expedite and beef up the educational process. Below is the list of the 2011 top 20 Universities in the Philippines.

1) University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon City)

2) Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City)

3) University of Philippines System (Quezon City)

4) University of Santo Tomas ( Manila)

5) University of the Philippines Los Banos (Laguna)

6) University of San Carlos (Cebu City)

7) University of the Philippines Visayas (Iloilo City)

8) Dela Salle University (Manila)

9) MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (Iligan City)

10) Mindanao University of Science and Technology (Cagayan de Oro City)

11) University of the East (Manila)

12) Ateneo de Davao (Davao City)

13) Asian Institute of Management (Makati City)

14) Aquinas University of Legazpi (Legazpi City)

15) Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro City)

16) Far Eastern University (Manila)

17) Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila)

18) Adamson University ( Manila)

19) Saint Louis University (Baguio)

20) Siliman University (Dumaguete City)

How to Be A Philippine Science High School Scholar?

2011-07-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Do you want to be one of the highly respected and recognized Pisay Scholars (just like me)?

If you are a Grade 6 or Grade 7 elementary pupil from a duly recognized school by the Department of Education, then it's time to evaluate your self:

Applicants for scholarship must belong to the top 10% of the graduating class.
However, if you do not belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class, kindly check if you have a special aptitude in science and math as supported by your report card.
You should have at least a grade of 85 in Science and math and 80 in all other subjects.
Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country.
Born on or before June 1, 1996.
You should be in good health capable to sustain rigorous academic program.
Be of good conduct and behavior.
Be sure that you have not previously taken PSHS NCE.

After thorough assessment of yourself and when you are truly convinced that you have all the criteria for eligibility, congratulations! That qualifies you to take the National Competitive Examination on September 3, 2011.

But don't celebrate yet, while you still have almost a couple of months to prepare for the NCE go ahead and have a review. Your score should be within the established cut-off score to qualify to legitimize your admission to the Philippine Science High School.

If you are already a first year high school student of other existing schools yet your desire to be enrolled at PSHS is persistently pressing you, don't despair! You can take a lateral admission exam for incoming second year students who are looking for ways to become a Pisayer. After passing an accreditation procedure prescribed by Philippine Science High School, lateral takers are admitted to fill in vacated slots.

Remember that there will only be a single test to be given that you SHOULD pass. It is the scholastic aptitude test or the National Competitive Examination. NCE is formulated to evaluate the applicants' Scientific Ability, Quantitative Ability, Abstract Reasoning and Verbal Aptitude.

What Should You Submit to the PSHS Registrar's Office in Diliman or any Regional PSHS Campuses or DOST offices and Provincial Science & Technology Centers?

Fully filled-up two (2) copies of Application Form
Two (2) recent identical 1x1 ID pictures
Non-refundable test fee:

private schools - 100 pesos
public schools - FREE

Copy of report card for applicants who do not belong to the top 10% of the current graduating class.

Where Can You Get and File The PSHS System NCE Application Forms?

DOST Provincial Science & technology Centers
PSHS Main Campus, Agham Road, Diliman Quezon City tel: (+2) 924-0614

PSHS-CMC Nangka, Baloi, lanao Del Norte

The PSHS NCE application form and the accompanying material are NOT FOR SALE; may be PHOTOCOPIED, NO RESERVATION FEE is REQUIRED. Application forms are available and may be filed at any of the following: PSHS Campuses, DOST Regional offices, or Provincial Science and Technology Centers. Application forms with incomplete information will not be processed. Erasures, alterations and insertions must be initialed by the applicant. The Test Permit/s will be mailed to the applicant or to the school principal for distribution to its applicant/s. In case the test permits are not received before the examination day, the applicants may check with the nearest PSHS campus, DOST Regional Office or at any DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center.

The deadline for filing of application is: July 15, 2011 and the date of the examinations is: September 3, 2011. You can download the application form here.

Philippine Science High School 13th Foundation Day (Pisay CMC)

2011-07-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

The Philippine Science High School Central Mindanao Campus has just celebrated its 13th foundation day last June 30 to July 1, 2011. PSHS CMC is located in Nangka, Baloi, Lanao del Norte through Republic Act 8469 that was signed on January 19, 1998.

Foundation day celebration is one of the glorifying days of Pisay students. There are numerous reasons as to why aside from the fact that it is one way of breaking away from the usual highly competitive and rigid daily academic world of a Philippine Science High School scholar (far from the normal routine of other schools). Let alone the mention of activities to be done during the annual festivity prompts the ignition of blazing excitement to every scholars.

Moreover, before the yearly foundation, one tradition that co-equally incites frenzy among the freshmen which reminds me of my freshmen days a couple of years ago is the "sorting" thing. It refers to the sorting out of freshmen scholars and laterals (scholars enrolled for second year high school) on which group or league each of them belongs.

There are four leagues or groups Pisay CMC has. It is patterned after the Houses of Hogwarts of the famous Harry Potter. The four leagues namely: yellow, Red Dragons, blue and green will compete against each other and only one will become the year's champion.

The Red Dragons brags their heart of fire, brick wall determination, and indestructible bond among its members comparable to a dragon's scale. A dragon's scale overlap neatly where they fit into each other allowing perfect freedom of movement.

The Yellow Flares lays claim on fostering fire in ones enthusiasm commensurable to that of a solid rocket propellants. Yellow Flares members bequeaths motivations and lifts you up during your darkest hour.

The Blue Fawkes prides itself for having a rare skyrocketing fortitude and perseverance that edge out the rest.

The Green Gryphons (my league) is where the elite belongs. Just like the Gryphon, a known legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Lion is considered the king of the beasts and the eagle as the majestic king of birds.

The Green Gryphons members flaunt loyalty and courage in the midst of adversities and imparts superiority in the truest sense of goodness.

Foundation day although exhausting yet it energizes the spirit of all the scholars. These are the days where a true leader can be distinguished, inner sanctum can be seen as competition heats up. This blog is suppose to write my expectations for the foundation day but then, I feel the need to recheck my observations on what need to be corrected (if applicable).

There are activities where some participants are getting so physical that sometimes it leads to unnecessary injury, proper caution and punishment for deliberately hurting opponent should be properly dealt with because Philippine Science High School was envisioned and created for the sole purpose of giving high quality education to exceptionally gifted Filipino children in science and mathematics which is a brainchild of Dr. Leopoldo V. Torralba. It is therefore a MUST to ensure the safety of all scholars during each activities by placing clear cut definition to who should be liable and the level of liability if such unfortunate instance occurs.

Also, it will be a lot nicer if events for the foundation day celebration will be enliven by a motorcade during the opening day. Motorcade should start from the city proper going to Pisay CMC campus as a way of announcing to the public the birth of such a prominent school. As PSHS-CMC way of showing heartfelt care and concern to the community of Baloi, it will be a heart-warming sight to have a medical mission to be spearheaded by the PTA in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the area.

Website for Students

SMT Days Corresponds to Bewilderment

"Cyber Bullying" Exposed!!!

Cyberstalking

Flaming

Exclusion

Outing

Masquerading

Examples of Cyber Bullying

What is Biology and It's Components

2011 Top 20 Universities In The Philippines

How to Be A Philippine Science High School Scholar?

Philippine Science High School 13th Foundation Day (Pisay CMC)