The Department of Science and Technology-CAR and DOST- Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) in partnership with the Department of Education- Benguet deployed the Science and Technology Academic-Research Based Openly Operated Kiosks or STARBOOKS to two far-flung areas of Benguet on June 13-14, 2018. The STARBOOKS sets, complete with a solar panel system was donated by the Telstra Foundation, Inc. as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative to the Yabyabuan Multi-Grade School, Bagong, Sablan; and Tawangan-Lusod NHS in Kabayan. The STARBOOKS or science digital library is an innovation that was developed by the DOST-STII that allows access to thousands of science and technology materials that do not require internet connection, making the technology even more appropriate in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Aside from science and math course modules, it now also contains information materials on the K-12 curriculum of the DEPED. Further, livelihood videos can be accessed and used not only by the students but also by the parents, teachers and other budding entrepreneurs in the area. Recognizing the appropriateness of the STARBOOKS in the region, the DOST-CAR has deployed a total of 122 STARBOOKS to beneficiaries in CAR since its roll out in 2011. Of the 77 municipalities and cities in CAR, 34 have already been provided with the innovation. For CY 2018, this figure will increase as the DOST-CAR signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DepEd-CAR last January 2018 for the project entitled “Support to Science and Technology Education in CAR through the STARBOOKS Digital Library II”. For this project, a total of 42 STARBOOKS sets shall be deployed to priority elementary and secondary schools in the region. This project is funded by the DOST-CAR Regional Grants-in-Aid program in support to S&T education, promotion and advocacy. The DOST is now guided by the tagline, “Science for the People” as it works together to create a science culture in the country. “With the provision of the STARBOOKS, we hope that one day, one of our students here in Yabyabuan will be a future scientist”, said Mr. Resty Soltero, head teacher of the Yabyabuan MGS as he extends his appreciation to the Telstra and DOST for the donation. It can be recalled that the World Food Programme has also donated a total of 14 STARBOOKS sets to priority schools and local government units in the province of Benguet in February 2018. The adoption of the STARBOOKS digital library is seen as contributory to the improvement of science education and in the long run, science appreciation for all. The response of stakeholders in the Cordillera Region is very encouraging, particularly our major partner in its roll-out, the Department of Education. With the concerted efforts of the public and the private sector, such as the TELSTRA, more people will benefit from the DOST developed technologies and the goal of creating a science culture in the country will hopefully be attained.**shai singa-claver
