Published by: John David ViΓ±as
Date Published: April 4, 2025
Time Published: 12:53 PM
The Danilo V. Ayap (DVA) Gymnasium buzzed with excitement as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students gathered to step into the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and teamwork for the Squid Game-themed STEM Day on March 27.
Guided by the siSTEMa officers and advisers, students successfully faced a series of exciting challenges, proving that in this competition, strength and strategy were the keys to survival.
Ready, Set, STEM! A Game to STEM-vival
The day began with the registration of sections, marking the official start of the competition. To get their adrenaline pumping, students participated in a Zumba session where the energy began to build up.
The excitement soared even higher when Lian Mallabo, Haggai's president, took the floor for a student intermission performance, setting the stage on fire with her dynamic dance that had the crowd cheering.
With the energy at its peak, students spread out across game stations, where 15 players per section competed in a mix of skill-based and strategic challenges, including the famous games from the Korean series: Flying Stones, Gonggi, Ddakji, Sipa, and Bottle Flip.
At first, many underestimated the difficulty of these seemingly simple childhood games until they started playing.
Sipa tested their foot-eye coordination in ways they did not expect, while the Flying Stones game added an unexpected challenge when some stones mysteriously went missing.
The siSTEMa officers even had to announce that some stones were gone, drawing laughter from the crowd. Whether misplaced or kept as souvenirs, the missing stones became an amusing side story during the intense competition.
Every section fought hard to outplay their opponents, proving that STEM students know how to combine quick thinking with precise execution.
Battle of the Best, Who Will Outlast the Rest?
The competition intensified in the afternoon, starting with a second round of registration and the highly anticipated announcement of the Top 10 sections based on their scores: Zephaniah, Salem, Shema, Sephar, Nahum, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Simeon, and Haggai.
Hold the Rope or Lose the Hope
One of the most intense moments of the event was the Tug-of-War competition, where teams needed more than just strength and power. They had to work together, stay focused and never give up.
The gym was filled with shouts as teams gripped the rope tightly and feet pressing firmly into the ground. As the countdown began, players leaned back, pulling with all their strength.
Sections Zephaniah, Simeon, Timothy, Haggai, and Sephar quickly showed their dominance, proving that coordination mattered just as much as power. Some rounds ended in seconds, with one team pulling hard enough to send their opponents stumbling forward. Others turned into intense battles, with neither side willing to give in.
Mugunghwa Kkoci Pieot Seumnida: Move Wisely, Stop Precisely
The famous Red Light, Green Light brought excitement to the crowd with its twist. Instead of a voice command, music sets the pace.
The moment the beat dropped, players dashed forward, eyes locked on the finish line. Laughter and cheers echoed through the gym as some players raced ahead while others are cautious with their movements.
But as soon as the music stopped, chaos followed. Players froze in hilarious poses while others barely keeping their balance. Those caught moving, even by an inch were immediately eliminated.
Sections Zephaniah, Haggai, and Simeon showed impressive control, mastering the rhythm of movement and balance. Some players underestimated the challenge, thinking they could quickly stop only to be caught by the sharp eyes of the siSTEMa officers.
The suspense built with each round, the crowd holding their breath as players tried to cross the finished line to bring honor to their section.
After a full day of intense competition, the final results were tallied and the top winners were Zephaniah as 3rd, Simeon taking 2nd, and Haggai clinching 1st place.
With the competition over, the winning sections gathered for a photo opportunity, capturing the moment of triumph.
Victory in Unity
In an interview, Haggai's Vice President and siSTEMa officer Hershey Mhae Salonga shared that their win was more than about just claiming first placeβit was about teamwork and joy.
"Sobrang saya po and super duper proud po ako sa mga klase ko kasi we didnβt expect to win talaga," she said, emphasizing that their goal wasnβt to win but simply to enjoy the STEM Day experience.
Despite her role as a facilitator, Salonga still witnessed the teamwork that brought her section to victory.
"Super proud po ako sa kanila kasi facilitator po ako noong time na 'yun, so hindi ko po talaga sila nababantayan, pero kitang-kita ko po sa kanila yung cooperation and unity. I think yun ang mas nagpanalo sa section namin kasi naniniwala po akong there is victory in unity."
She also highlighted how the strong support among her classmates made a significant difference for their victory.
Seeing their enthusiasm and encouragement for one another boosted the confidence of those competing. She believed that having the support of their section gave players the motivation to perform at their best.
For Salonga, the true victory was not just about winning but about enjoying the event. The experience and memories they created mattered more than the final results.
Regardless of the outcome, as long as her classmates had fun, they were already winners in her eyes.
She ended her message with a heartfelt congratulations to her section and the entire STEM community.
"To my section, congratulations talaga! Ang gagaling ninyo, proud na proud ako sa inyoβkeep it up lang, Haggai!"
"At sa lahat po ng STEM students na umattend kahapon, thank you po sa pag-attend niyo at sa pagbigay ng oras. Sana po na-enjoy niyo yung STEM Day and congratulations po sa ating lahat. Thank you po," she added.
Challenges Behind the Scenes
Despite the eventβs success, siSTEMa President Nachiel Albino shared both the triumphs and challenges they faced during STEM Day. She described the event as "unforgettable" noting that while it was enjoyable she was disappointed that not all students were able to attend and experience the event.
"Most of the attendees were in grade 11 since they were the only ones required to attend. It's such a shame that grade 12 students, especially now that they are graduating, didn't get to attend. But what's in the past stays in the past, and I would just like to look at the bright side since the grade 11 students got to experience what STEM Day feels like for the first time," she said.
Albino also highlighted the struggles they encountered, particularly with the venue.
During the afternoon session, the venue had to be moved to the small gym since both Alta and Shark Squad were practicing at the DVA gym, leaving little space to accommodate the attendees.
In addition to the venue change, technical difficulties arose as only portable microphones and speakers were available, which had to be provided independently.
The situation became chaotic as a large number of students had to be managed in a small space with a poor sound system.
Despite these challenges, Albino expressed gratitude for the support of her officers, their adviser, and other teachers, particularly Sir Wynn, in ensuring the event continued smoothly.
STEM Day was successfully wrapped up as a day of pure fun, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. Whether pulling ropes, racing to the finish line, or mastering games, students proved that STEM isnβt just about science and math.
No comments:
Post a Comment