Visser: Addressing the Need for Modern Science Laboratories in the Philippines

Abstract

Access to modern science laboratories is still a problem in most public high schools in developing countries like the Philippines. Based on a survey with 173 respondents conducted from September 2013 to June 2014, 77% of schools have laboratories. However, only 15% have access to digital measuring devices and sensors. To address the need for modern science laboratories, we develop the Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research (VISSER). VISSER integrates both hardware and software in the experiments and research. It uses both generic and custom probes that can be adapted for different applications. Handheld modules and sensors were developed to be compact and can be used without a computer. These modules are currently being piloted in-class in the subject areas of physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science and engineering. Despite its sophistication, VISSER is cost-effective. The modules are roughly 1/10th of currently available commercial products which makes it affordable to all schools, even to those that have extremely modest funding.

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Author Information
John Raymond Pingol, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
Ranzivelle Marianne Roxas-Villanueva, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines
Giovanni Tapang, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines

• Category: Educational change through technologies

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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