Mariano Marcos
State University

STEM event on ChemEng draws senior high students to MMSU

By Shan Caezar Tambio, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳

Senior high school students from across Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur visited MMSU Teatro Ilocandia on February 7 to take part in a STEM event organized by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Junior Chapter MMSU (PIChE‑JCMMSU). The event, titled “Advancing STEM Through Chemical Engineering and New‑Gen Discoveries (ASCEND),” introduced participants to chemical engineering and its role in sustainable development. 
 

Themed “Waste to Energy: Fueling Sustainability, Empowering Innovation,” the event drew STEM Senior High School students who participated in a series of competitions and informative talks. 
 

In the STEM Quiz Bowl, Alnerica Miguel, Jan Dominique Villamor, and CJ Noel Bon Concepcion of  Ilocos Norte National High School (INNHS) won the championship award. Jashmine Gonzales, Rex Lee Daniel Visaya, and John Paul Madriaga of Bacarra National Comprehensive High School won second place. MMSU Laboratory High School–Batac finished third, with the team consisting of Prince Zemhiel Gampong, Atoze Alonzo, and Gabriel Onera.
 

Held simultaneously was the STEM Writing Competition, with Jhan Louem Martinez from San Juan National High School claiming first place. Allen Andrei Garcia from Marcos National High School placed second, while Stephany Laine Biagan from INNHS garnered third place. 
 

Meanwhile, in the STEM Talk Competition, Aldric Kalyl Joshen Lacro of General Artemio Ricarte Senior High School clinched the championship, with Renzo Miguel Rasos of INNHS and Frances May Totaan of Sinait National High School placing second and third, respectively.
 

Solsona National High School dominated the STEM Research Study Competition, with Allen Jhade Santiago and Louissa Mae Tampoya sweeping major awards, including Best Poster, People’s Choice Award, and Overall Champion. Santiago also earned the Best Presenter award, while Napoleon Balbisino and Allyza Gayle Turda of Sinait National High School placed second.
 

Other participating schools were MMSU Laboratory High School–Laoag, Batac Junior College, and Piddig National High School. 
 

ASCEND also featured a series of informative talks. Dr. Roselle Mamuad, Chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering, delivered a lecture on waste-to-energy technologies and their environmental and industrial significance. Alumnus Engr. Alford Airon Velasco, who finished in the Top 9 of the May 2025 Licensure Examination for Chemical Engineers, shared his journey as a chemical engineer, inspiring students to pursue the BS in Chemical Engineering program. 
 

With the successful launch of ASCEND, PIChE-JCMMSU envisions sustaining and expanding the event as its flagship program in the years ahead to advance STEM education among young learners.

📸 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘰 𝘊. 𝘓𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘑𝘳, 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘋. 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰, 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘩 𝘎. 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘰 (The Blueprint Publication)