The things I found in PSYSC

PSYSC gave me an opportunity to involve myself in the science clubbing movement. The organization is like a propeller that drives the buoyant minds of our youth to engage more into the curiosity that wraps around science and technology, two of what I believe are the most influential indicators of national advancement in education.

PSYSC, for me, is like a battery; it energizes science clubbers to continue their aim for excellence while still young - learning and playing, at the same time.

In fact, it gave me a lot of reasons to believe that the Philippines will be as progressive as we are yet to see.

to be continued...

Being a PSYSC volunteer (NECAT)

The celebration of the National Science Clubbing Month (NSCM 2012) will begin in a few days! So, I decided to create a blog post to pay tribute to all youth volunteers of the PSYSC.


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Responsible, humble, nice, inspirational, and uhh, good-looking.

These, I think, are how young science clubbers perceive their Ate's and Kuya's in PSYSC. (N)ECAT as they are collectively called, these young volunteers come from really diverse backgrounds. Most of them speak Filipino, English, and Sebuwano/Bisaya (they learn from their co-ECATs who comprise a big portion of the family).

PSYSC is a melting pot of young brilliant minds. All of them are vibrant individuals, hailing from various provinces of the Philippines, who simultaneously balance their academic, social, spiritual and civic (volunteerism) duties as students of prestigious universities in Metro Manila.

When you participate in their events such as CSIW, CAMP, and NSCM's MathSciAKa, PSO, ITSS and Summit, you see them as the happy-go-lucky, easy-going facilitators, coordinators and heads. Deep inside, there's the sense of accomplishment and relief whenever every science clubber leaves the event venue with immense insights, unhidden smiles, and showy gratification.

Every effort an ECAT gives is worth the sacrifice. 

Wanna know why?

What completely binds them and gives them focus is the unforgettable experience that they wish to become part of and the lessons that they tend to impart to you, the younger generation. 'cause they believe you can be great catalysts for change, too cliche as it may seem, but you are expected to become better people, great movers of the nation - as they are now.

But before this is attained, they have to work hard and try to keep things smooth, simple and orderly. It's never easy to prepare and conduct an event. 

They wouldn't mind having a short-term panic attack whenever the weather's not cooperating.

They wouldn't mind feeling half-ecstatic, half-trembling due to possible participant overload which, even though contingency plans are well-prepared, is often reached during the Summit activities held in different locations nationwide. 

They wouldn't mind falling out of love for some time, arguing with one another because it's either they're gaunt and tired and didn't intend to lash out on anyone or simply because they're systematically decided to reach consensus in a proposal defense just to make sure everyone's given the best of both worlds - quality and quantity.

PSYSC takes pride in providing long-planned fun ST&E learning activities for students and teachers who involve themselves in the science clubbing movement. This is definitely true, and in my honest opinion, it's what makes us unique.

They wouldn't mind sleeping for only two-three hours everyday during the CSIW/CAMP proper just to make sure you enjoy the line-up of activities the day after.

They wouldn't mind lessening the break time they personally allotted themselves for rest, procrastination or morale-boost just to do a call brigade, encode chunks of information, market and publicize the events, fold invitations, pack and repack supplies, and of course, receive complaints from agitated teachers (we love you! kayo po ang haligi ng aming pagkatuto't pag-unlad bilang mag-aaral at susunod na mga lider ng bansa. maraming salamat po!). Every time they get scolded for no reason, it's like bearing the weight of the world by themselves and then surfaces the intensity of emotions for I have an exam tomorrow and I'm doing this right now, and this is what I get? A few minutes after, they'll shrug it off 'cause they know it wouldn't do them good if they won't get moving. Still, the trauma's there. Brave, aren't they? Some of them have really turned to become Plants VS Zombies's "Tall-nuts".

Selfless, passionate, and determined, it's who they are. That's why I'm proud to be one. 

Here's just one thing I would like to ask from you, science clubbers. Understanding.

Understand that these people who always aspire to give you the learning experience better than the previous year's performance (yes, they're competitive) are young and sometimes fragile.

Understand that these volunteers number LESS THAN A HUNDRED AND FIFTY just to support a HUNDRED-THOUSAND STRONG umbrella organization of science clubbers.

Understand that these college students have assignments, movie/book reviews, recitals, quizzes, long exams, midterms, laboratory experiment papers, and social (org) tasks to accomplish. Add to that, family and other personal problems that may serve as life's biggest hurdles.

Understand that these youngsters also want to get a glimpse of the new Kimmy Dora or the hippest Bourne being shown in theaters nationwide, or want to party like it's the end of the world (yes, apparently some do! hehe). They're cool people too!

Understand that they're humans too. They can commit mistakes and they are capable of translating, absorbing and evoking all types of emotions. They have needs that, apart from being fulfilled in every activity's success, require a refill, attention and priority.

So, to all ECATs out there, if you read this, thank you so much for keeping the fire burning! I salute you all for placing genuine love and service of the nation's future movers and for maintaining our thrust, PUSTE (public understanding of science, technology, and the environment) above all interests.

Next time, TAYO na ang TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awardee of the Year!


-NECAT PSYSC

Ending to Start Anew: CSIW 2010 Fast Approaching

The 1st Semester of the Academic Year in UP is now about to end.

For almost four months, I've been busy thinking, about scholastic approaches, extra-curricular opportunities, social content, emotional satisfaction, spiritual fulfillment - basically everything about life. I tried doing stuff I have not tried my whole life - may it be risky or not. I took on responsibilities I thought I couldn't handle myself. Most of the things I did, indeed, were splendid.

I  tried to catch up with the train of success that my friends, who I admittedly perceive as better people than I am, were riding, but it was fun trying, chasing it as if it were never returning back. I never got to ride that train, at least for the past few months, 'cause I usually fail to arrive on time when it suddenly stops and waits for deserving passengers.

I must be doing something not right. I should definitely arrive at the station earlier so I can see it stop in front of my eyes. This time, I'll be more punctual. And if I get there on time, I'll think of it as a regular occurrence so that I'd be more used to letting success come into my life. That's how I should practice achieving success, I thought. Maybe this time, failure will be a rare drawback of choices. It shall never be an option.

The days may be ending, but looking at the brighter side, I can always start a new beginning, from which the warm breeze of candid visions may be felt again and no basket of sour grapes maybe made available in the market of envy.

"Life is a chance to grow a soul". As early as possible, I should learn to live life to the optimum, soar higher, and break barriers, with God's guidance and support.

I better stop counting. And begin chasing bigger and better dreams now.

-NECAT PSYSC

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UPDATES:

The semester may be ending, but PSYSC's thrust continues to slide through the nation's youth. The 2010 Children's Science Interactive Workshop, with the theme "Gaea Neo Genesis:  Rediscovering the Marvels of the Earth's Biosphere" will be held on October 25-28, 2010, in Royale Tagaytay Country Club.

As of the moment,

there are ONLY 30 AVAILABLE SLOTS left for

CSIW 2010.

We would only be accommodating the

first 30 participants (students and/or teachers)

who could pre-register starting today until

Wednesday, October 20, 2010.

The 2010 CSIW brochure/ registration form/ guidelines may be downloaded here.

Just call our office at (02) 393- 4384 or (02) 332-8151.

And we would also like to announce that

NO WALK-INS will be allowed

during the CSIW Registration Proper.

And PLEASE do not forget our simple reminders:

To our dear CSIW 2010 Participants, please don’t forget to bring the following:

 * Pillows,

* Beddings,

* towels,

* toiletries,

* working clothes, and rubber shoes (t-shirts, shorts, pants, comfy clothes),

* all white outfit for pledge night,

* Native Delicacies with containers for Pasalubong Festival,

* Drinking Water Containers,

* Mosquito Lotion, and;

* Personal Medicine or other needs for allergies and/or other medical condition.

NECAT PSYSC on NSCM

The month-long celebration of PSYSC's NSCM 2010 is over. Memories, fresh from photographs of yesterday, linger in mind. Of course, the best snapshots came from our dear students and teachers. Those uplifting smirks of fun-oriented science clubbers really made my day. It was as if all the worries eased off, a reason why I love being an ECAT.

Once you commit into a responsibility, there's no turning back. What kept me alive all throughout, putting forth little sacrifices and making big decisions on my own, was that irreplaceable trust I lent everyone, that no matter what happens, my co-volunteers won't live me hanging on the edge of the cliff. If ever that did happen, they'll run towards me and pull me off the situation.

Someone might ask, why do these ECATs stay in the organization despite their hectic schedule, barrages of academic load and complicated personal lives? It's because we still believe that the youth can help the Philippines pull it out of the median and leverage it higher up to an outstanding status. There's this big room of improvement for everyone, and the key to this room can be found through aiming for excellence  in whatever thing we do, and we do it with fun.

As ecats, we envision a Philippine society where Science, Technology, and Environment (ST&E) is a culture, a mindset, an orientation, an outlook, and a way of life, where;

• Learning ST&E is easy, fun, simple, and comprehensible;
• There is a free exchange of ST&E concepts and ideas by, and among ST&E enthusiasts;
• ST&E is applied for the improvement and development of the individual, the family, the community and the society, and;
• There is a concerted action by all individuals and sectors for making this vision a reality.

I was once a tranquil part of the past. Today, I am an awakened giant - one who, with all the  mix-ups brought about by the uncertainty of life, was made stronger and turned into a monstrous supporter of science clubbing.

Usually, I don't write this long, but somehow for some reason something made me do it.

PSYSC Blog Launch 2010

This blog will cater to all the youth, as the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs jibes with the ephemeral activity of the youth -the use of the Internet. This will serve as a portal for me, NECAT PSYSC, to share my thoughts as a youth volunteer of this wonderful organization.

This site is still under construction. Enjoy browsing!