mY lAsT sCi-tEcH wEek iN UP hiGh...

Last February 21- 23, UP High celebrated its annual Sci- Tech week. It features a lot of activities such as the Science Olympics, the Geometry displays of the sophies, the titration exhibits of the juniors and of course the research displays of the seniors.

The Science Olympics is a common activity in the Sci- Tech week. Each year level must have representatives that will compete and will join the activities. I felt that it was quite an advantage for the fourth years because most of the contests in the Science Olympics were already our physics activities. I was part of the Bridge Building Activity because our bridge during our Physics activity was not ruined and it was also able to carry a lot of weight. My other classmates also joined other contests.

The Science and Technology week started with a program. The flow of activities were announced and the venue for the activities were also announced during the program. The first activity was the paper airplane contest. It was in the open court that's why everybody was able to witness the whole activity. After a lot of eliminations, the fourth years emerged victorious. It was a good start because the first activity was won by the seniors. I think everyone was inspired to win because most of the games were won by the seniors.

The day ended and the fourth tears won almost every activity in the Science Olympics.

The next day was the day the seniors really fear. It was the day wherein we'll all defend our research study. We were going to defend the study that we did for months. This is like the "Last judgment". Even though we were not the first group to defend, I was still very nervous because I don't know what to do during the defense proper and how to defend our project properly so that we will be able to present our project clearly and properly to the panel and to the lower years who were then present. I think the other groups had a hard time defending their projects because they were like "gisado" during the defense. But fortunately, they came out alive and were not eaten live by the panelists.

Our turn came and I really felt nervous. My hands were already sweating and cold. I also felt a bit shaky but I guess the other groups also felt the same way as I did. When we were already in the stage and presented our study, my nervousness went away and I only focused my attention to the panelists. I did not look at the audience because I do not like to be bothered by the comments they might be sharing. But anyways, everything turned out to be fine and like the other groups, we were also able to survive during that defense and I felt really happy because at last, the research defense has come to an end.

During the next days, our displays were featured. The lower years were our first guests. they then asked questions about our projects because it will also be part of their incoming Science examinations. Of course as their ates and kuyas, we answered their questions with full honesty and provided them with the information that they needed. we also explained to them clearly and concisely our projects so that they would be able to understand it better.

I was not able to see the projects of the lower years because we were also busy with our displays but I guess it was also fun like our experience during our freshman, sophomore and junior years.

The awarding ceremony was held in the open stage during the final day of the Sci Tech week. The awarding for the Science Olympics were first announced and the seniors already proved to be victorious because we won almost all of the contests. The awards for the projects of the lower years were also announced. And then the moment the seniors have been waiting for, the announcement of the winners for the research defense. I was thankful because our project placed third. Though we did not rank first, it was still fulfilling because at least our hardships and hard work paid off with that award. I was also happy because at least we were able to celebrate our last Science and Technology week successfully and I can also see that the fourth years became happy and enjoyed a lot.

The Science and Technology week taught us with a lot of Physics concepts and it also taught us how to enjoy with these concepts even in the minor things that we usually do. i learned that Physics is really everywhere and you'll be able to learn more with activities like this being prepared by the UP High faculty and students. I still hope that this tradition will not end but instead will be able to improve as the years go by.