Manila Science High School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manila Science High School (or simply MaSci to its students) is the pilot science high school in Manila, Philippines. It is located at the corner of Taft Avenue and Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila and established on October 1, 1963.

[edit] Geographical Description

The school is located in the district of Ermita, in the City of Manila, Philippines at the corner of Padre Faura street and Taft Avenue, in front of the Supreme Court and the University of the Philippines - Manila campus. The school is also easily accessible through public transportation through the Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT), where the school is close to the United Nations Avenue Station.

[edit] Curriculum

The school is the first to offer a high school curriculum that is focused on science, technology, and mathematics. Computer science subjects are offered to all year levels. Research is given during the second, third and fourth year levels. Earth Science is studied during the first year, while biology is tackled during second and third years where they have Advanced Biology which tackles Biotechnology. Physics is taken up during the second, third and fourth years. Chemistry is studied during the second, third and fourth years. Algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, and analytic geometry are studied during the first, second, third, and fourth years, respectively. Finite Mathematics which includes probabilities, permutation, combination, advanced statistics and number theory are taken up during the fourth year, while statistics is studied during the second year as part of the second-year research course. As part of requirements for third and fourth-year research courses, students have to produce research papers and project proposals, which they have the option to submit to local science fairs which then goes international for abroad science fairs. Languages are also offered from second year to fourth year. Students may choose to take Nihonggo, French or Robotics. Accounting subjects are given to third year students.

[edit] Extracurriculars

Although the curriculum is more grounded in the sciences than other high schools in the area, the school offers a wide variety of acitivities that would help develop students into future ethical and socially-responsive scientists. The Student Council has been recently revived to help foster the leadership skills of students. Course-specific student organizations like the Knights of Science, the English club, the UNESCO club under the social studies department, and the Filipino club (also known as the Gabay ng Wika or Guide of language) are also available to develop their proficiency on specific courses. There are also activity-centered student organizations like the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Manila Science High School Choir, and the Manila Science High School Dance Troupe.

[edit] History

Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay was the first to envision a science high school in his 1956 State of the Nation address, where he underscored “the great need of stepping up the development of fundamental and applied research in science and technology which has long been neglected.”

Taking action, the Philippine Congress passed the Republic Act 1606 creating the National Science Development Board to work with the Science Foundation of the Philippines in advancing scientific and technological research. This was closely followed by Republic Act 2067, known as the Science Act of 1958 which proposed to integrate, coordinate, and intensify scientific and technological research and development to foster invention.

In conjunction, the Department of Education implemented Republic Act 1606 by issuing Department Orders 1 and 5, series of 1958, for the launching of Science Talent Research.

November 25, 1959 marked the evolution of the first pilot science high school in Manila. Comprising 32 students screened through a rigid, competitive examination, this nucleus of a science high school had its humble beginnings in a single-storey building in Intramuros.

On October 1, 1963, the Manila Science High School was officially born by virtue of Municipal Resolution 426 signed by Mayor Antonio J. Villegas. Credit for the school's early success goes to the Manila Science High School Principal Augusto Alzona – the "Father of Manila Science High School". Modeled after the Bronx High School of Science in New York, the special science curriculum is designed to meet the needs of scholars gifted in science and mathematics. However, a wealth of opportunities, training, and experiences in varied fields other than academic is generated for the well-rounded development of students.

After five years in Intramuros, the Manila Science High School moved to its present site in 1966 with its first principal, Mr. Honesto Valdez (1963-1977). By 1977, Phase I of the Main Building was completed while the construction of Phase II was ongoing.

In September 1977, Mrs. Evelina P. Barotilla (1977-1988), the second principal, saw the completion of the Manila Science High School Complex and the renovation of the Bordner Building. The Home Economics Building was built in 1980. The whole construction project was financed by the Special Education Fund under the chairmanship of Dr. Josefina Navarro, Superintendent of City Schools, Manila.

The construction of the Php 7.5 million Technology Creativity Laboratory began in 1998 during the reign of Mrs. Daisy H. Banta, (1988-2000), third principal. The project was made possible by the Special Education Fund through the joint efforts of Mayors Gemiliano Lopez and Alfredo Lim, together with DECS-Manila Superintendent, Dr. Erlinda G. Lolarga.

The new millennium ushered in the arrival of Mrs. Susan A. Yano, fourth principal, the completion of the Antonio Maceda Building and the revival of the Manila Science High School Alumni Association. Mrs. Susan A. Yano opted for an early retirement. Ms. Edna P. Parcon, Math Department Head III, was then assigned Officer-in-Charge from July 18, 2002 to January 13, 2003, together with Ms. Betty de la Cruz, Science Supervisor, assigned Supervisor-in-Charge from October 13, 2002 to January 13, 2003.

The Manila Science High School is recently under the leadership of new principal Mrs Salud S Sabado.

[edit] External links

• This website is the source of the information that can be seen on this entry – The website was created by three members of the class of 2005. The source of the school history is the yearbook that is published annually for the graduating class.

• WELCOME TO THE MSHS Batch 1968....Unity Peace and Happiness we SEEK in 2006 – The Official website of MSHS68.

• MASCI Batch 1986 – The Official Yahoo Groups for MSHS86. The first batch who graduated after the "People Power Revolution."

• MASCI Batch 1988 – The official Yahoo Groups of Batch 1988...the "coolest batch ever" of MASCI.