Yes, students get to be weather forecasters for a day as the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) invites students in Grades 9 and 10 to join the Weather Observation Contest on July 28, 2016.
With the theme “One Science, A Disaster Resilient Nation,” the contest is part of the activities during DOST’s 2016 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration on July 25-29. It aims to educate students on how meteorologists come up with accurate weather forecasts for the country.
“Students will get to learn the basic computations on weather parameters,” explained Venus Valdemoro, PAGASA information officer. “And at the same time, they could use various weather instruments like rain gauges, thermometer, wind indicators, and evaporation rate measuring pan.”
Aside from these, participants can also experience actual weather observation at the PAGASA Synoptic Station in PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.
“Winners will be judged according to the timeliness and accuracy, as well as their diligence and care for the weather instruments,” added Valdemoro.
The contest will be one of the featured activities of the Quezon City Science Community (QCSC) in the 2016 NSTW.
Meanwhile, lectures on basic knowledge on weather observation will be held on July 27 byDr.Marlyn Medina, chief meteorology officer of PAGASA.
For this year, NSTW will be celebrated simultaneously in four science hubs namely Quezon City, Taguig, Manila, and Los Baños, Laguna. DOST regional offices across the country will also have several fun and informative activities to promote the development of science and technology in their localities.
The QC science community consists of DOST attached agencies in Quezon City such as PAGASA, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Science High School System, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, and other partner institutions located in the city.
“This is the first time that DOST will be doing a simultaneous celebration, not only in Manila, but in the different regions of the country,” explained the new DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De la Peña.
The Weather Observation Contest hopes “to create interest in the young high school students to take up science courses in the future especially meteorology so we can strengthen the numbers of our local meteorologists in the country,” said Valdemoro.
Aside from the weather observation contest, students from grades 9 to 10 can also join the on-the-spot poster making contest at the Philippine Science High School-Quezon City campus. The poster making contest is also organized by PAGASA and the QCSC.
Winners of the contests will be awarded during the closing of the QCSC NSTW celebration on July 29 at the PAGASA Multipurpose Covered Court.
The 2016 NSTW is open to the public. For more information, please visit www.nstw.dost.gov.ph and NSTW Facebook page at 2016NSTW or email the NSTW Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 837-2191 to 94. #juanscienceonenation #nstw2016
A student tries out a refractor telescope used by DOST-PAGASA astronomers in one of the exhibits during the 2015 National Science and Technology Week celebration. Weather observation instruments are slated to be used by students at a Weather Observation Contest on July 28, 2016 at the PAGASA Science Garden, part of the activities lined up by the country’s weather bureau for the 2016 NSTW.
