Monday: Introduction to Philippines Science High School Mindanao Campus

Our very first day at our host school, Philippines Science High School (PSHS), exemplified the famous Filipino sense of hospitality on a completely new level. This, paired with the excitement of PSHS’s very first day of school for the 2026-7 school year, made today a truly memorable day.

First, my co-teacher Nichia and I were introduced at the very first Flag Ceremony of the year. Students, lined up by grade level, participated in a Catholic, Muslim, and indigenous prayer before an introduction from the program director and the school pledge. Students were excited to begin the new year at PSHS, and it was an honor to witness the school’s celebration of Davao’s diversity.

We were welcomed into our very first home room class, where students reviewed policies and procedures for the school year. As chronic tardiness is a significant issue for us in Oakland, I was particularly struck by the school’s strict tardy policy and was definitely taking notes to send to my own admin team. At PSHS, students with one unexcused tardy would not be eligible to receive a grade on an assessment. While this may seem strict, it also stresses student communication and advocacy in a way that I appreciate as an educator, especially at the upper secondary level. We brought this up when learning about the school’s curriculum in our meeting with the school director and other notable staff, and I was encouraged by their success to adopt this policy in my own classroom. In this meeting, we continued to learn about the school’s curriculum and resources along with its wealth of extracurricular clubs. Of course, we were also welcomed with yummy Filipino snacks and delicious fruits like mangosteen, lychee, mango, and, my new favorite, lanzones.

We were then invited to see the school’s admirable laboratories. As a premier science high school, the lab equipment and supplies were thoughtfully organized by the lab’s technician to be used by students over the course of the year. I had never heard of anything to this scale in the United States and was thrilled to see the science focus in action, and particularly loved learning about the ownership that students are given when designing and executing their three-year research projects.

Afterwards, I was able to sit in on Engineer Gigi’s Research class. Student research projects varied from designing a low-alcohol honey to a machine used to convert thermal energy to charge a battery and back to utilizing plant material to absorb contaminants from oil spills. All were ingenious and unique, and it was an absolute privilege to discuss their ideas with the students and see the collaboration within groups. The focus on solving environmental issues and reducing waste highlighted the critical consciousness fostered in students at PSHS, and I am excited to track the progress of their work.

This, along with our concluding campus tour, left us with so much to consider and reflect upon. From our own STEM education in the United States to student mental health to best teaching practices, the questions I am contemplating have no limit. I am so excited to continue learning about this diverse and unique area and to continue collaborating with the amazing educators at PSHS.