Eleven Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students from the CALABARZON Region Campus learned new scientific techniques and honed their critical thinking skills under the supervision of scientists and researchers of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), through the PSHS Science Immersion Program (SIP).

Through their immersion in BIOTECH’s laboratory facilities, the students were introduced to and learned various techniques such as bacteria isolation, media preparation, basics of sterilization, plating, and use of a spectrophotometer from the Central Analytical Services Laboratory and Electron Microscopy Service Laboratory; extraction and antimicrobial assay of bioactive compounds from unknown bacteria from the Tissue Culture Laboratory; microscopy and molecular identification from the Bio-organic Fertilizer Laboratory; and operation of the autoclave, gas chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography from the Environment Laboratory, among others.

PSHS is the leading national science high school in the country under the Department of Science and Technology. SIP is an annual partnership between PSHS and the UP System that aims to expose students to the workplace and familiarize them with the existing laboratory standards, processes, practices, and work ethics of UP researchers. This year’s program ran from June 21 to July 5, 2023. (Belinda Lucille B. Costales and Bernadette T. Rapiz)