The UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources concluded the two-week Science Immersion Program (SIP) for the Philippine Science High School – CALABARZON Region Campus students from June 17 to July 5, 2024.

SIP is a science and technology-related educational program offered by the PSHS to raise students’ awareness of science and technology and give them the chance to learn from professionals in the field through mentorship activities, gain direct experience with the social dynamics of a workplace, and apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios. 

In addition to facilitating a smooth transition from high school to the workplace, the SIP allows scholars to work at partner institutions and get exposure to a variety of values and skill sets. 

This is the second year that SIP was held by CFNR for PSHS. This year’s SIP students are Johanna Danielle N. Quito, Sydney Gabrielle D. Torrano, Angelica Nicole B. Silang, and Niña Sophia C. Llanderal.

CFNR oriented the students about the college’s degree programs by involving them in various activities of the academic and non-academic units and demonstrated to them how forestry impacts everyday life.

At a program on July 5, 2024, CFNR academic staff and REPS witnessed the four student interns give their reflections on their involvement in CFNR activities. 

In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Rosalie C. Mendoza, associate professor and CFNR College Secretary, shared the program details of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) and Associate of Science in Forestry (AScF). 

She noted the many local and international opportunities awaiting potential BSF and AScF students such as participation in academic conferences and student exchange programs. 

Mendoza also discussed with the students CFNR’s status as the oldest and finest educational institution in forestry, its recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as one of the centers of excellence in forestry education, and its being the top-performing school in the Forester Licensure Examination of the Professional Regulation Commission. 

The four students later shared individual reflections about their experience during the immersion program. The common responses of the student interns focused on the classroom activities and field experiences taught by the CFNR academic staff and research, extension, and professional staff. 

Quito, as a representative of the student interns, expressed their amazement with the science behind forestry activities such as the production of paper and their visit to the forest products innovation center of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI-DOST) where various non-timber forest products are displayed.Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the students while PSHS also awarded certificates to CFNR faculty and REPS who participated in the SIP. (Jheana Mae H. Medialdia)