Rethinking Student Research: Biodiversity in Focus at the Science Castle Philippines Teachers’ Session

In the Philippines, high school student research is often associated with fields such as robotics, medicine, and other disciplines that are easily perceived as concrete pathways toward academic and professional success. While these areas are undeniably important, they represent only a portion of the scientific fields through which students can meaningfully contribute to society. Sadly, many equally enriching fields of study remain underrepresented in the current pool of high school research. This trend is evident in submissions to Science Castle Philippines, a multidisciplinary research conference for high school students, where biodiversity research remains notably limited in representation.

Despite its relatively small land area, the Philippines is one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, which hosts an estimated two-thirds of global species across its many islands. Furthermore, the country also exhibits remarkably high levels of endemism, with numerous species found nowhere else on Earth. Yet, despite this richness and the vast opportunities for exploration it presents, student engagement with and appreciation for biodiversity research remain limited. As the Philippines continues to be classified as a biodiversity hotspot, where many species face increasing threats from human activities, the need to bring biodiversity into the spotlight has never been more urgent. After all, biodiversity is not solely the domain of scientists or conservation organizations, but rather a field where every sector of society can contribute. For instance, the education sector plays a vital role. Teachers, in particular, have the capacity to shape mindsets and nurture future generations with a deeper understanding of and commitment to biodiversity.

In response to these realities, a panel discussion entitled “Education Beyond the Classroom: Inspiring the Next Generation of Biodiversity Researchers” will be conducted in partnership with Focus Systems Corporation as part of the Teachers’ Session at Science Castle Philippines 2026 (SCPH 2026). Open to participating educators and school personnel, the session aims to surface the current realities of engaging in biodiversity research at the high school level — what it offers students, where gaps remain, and what constraints schools commonly face. At the same time, the discussion will highlight realistic entry points for schools and teachers, including how existing and emerging innovations can make biodiversity research safer, more accessible, and more feasible within current educational settings.

Session Panelists
Hanny Pearl S. Camerino Project Manager Jeremake Innovations, Inc.	Hanny Pearl S. Camerino is an experienced Project Manager, notable in the educational field and particularly adept at managing STEM-related learning project. At Jeremake, she has been instrumental in the progress of the Makeroscope—a keychain microscope project that aims to make scientific exploration accessible to all. Her work involves developing learning enrichment materials that supplement the use of the Makeroscope, thus giving a hands-on approach to STEM education. Backing her practical experience, she is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Environmental Science at the University of the Philippines, reinforcing her Bachelor's in Mathematics and Science Teaching from the same institution.  Hanny's professional and academic accomplishments, combined with her continuous participation in research and training in STEM education, artificial intelligence, and environmental responsibility, make her an invaluable asset to the Jeremake team. In addition, her active affiliation with the Philippine Association of Environmental Science Students demonstrates her commitment to the advancement of her field.
Jelaine L. Gan Assistant Professor University of the Philippines Diliman	Jelaine L. Gan, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she has been teaching ecology and biodiversity courses for over seven years. Her research interests include urban biodiversity, landscape ecology, and wildlife biology, with birds as her favorite study subjects. Beyond academia, she has authored comics and a book titled Wild City, reflecting her strong passion and commitment to these fields of study. By blending fieldwork, citizen science, and storytelling, she hopes to bring Filipinos closer to nature and promote biodiversity conservation.
Rolly S. Donato Academic Director & Dean of Graduate School Southville International School and Colleges	Rolly S. Donato LPT, DipST, MAEd, PhD is an accomplished educator and academic leader based in Las Piñas City, Philippines, with over two decades of experience in advancing academic excellence and enriching learning environments across educational institutions. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Management, a Master in Education major in Educational Management, a Diploma in Science Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Cell Biology, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree. Moreover, Dr. Donato has completed professional programs from the Harvard Graduate School of Education on digital literacy and screen-time management, learner-centered virtual learning from Marshall Cavendish Academy and PEAC, and a certification in ergonomics from TUV-Rheinland.  He currently serves as Director for Learning and Development and Academic Director of the Southville Global Education Network, and as Dean of the Graduate School at Southville International Schools and Colleges (SISC). A PQA Category Leader and Writer, he contributed to SISC’s achievement of the Philippine Quality Award Level III (Mastery in Quality Management) in 2024 and recently completed the Digital Leadership Certificate Program offered by CHED in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His advocacies include brain-based learning, positive learning environments, understanding by design, artificial intelligence in education, and ergonomics.

 

Moderator

Edriel T. Lee Assistant Manager, Research Development Division Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc.

Edriel Lee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Biology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. From a young age, he has nurtured an insatiable curiosity about life and the natural world. With a particular interest in entomology, especially insect ecology and evolution, he actively advocates for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, striving to reflect these values in all his pursuits. Equally passionate about science communication and education, he believes in their power to bridge the gap between science and society and to drive truly meaningful impact.

 

SCPH 2026 will be held on 17–18 January 2026 at Mapúa University. Now in its second year as the local implementation of Leave a Nest’s flagship Science Castle program under the Education Development Division, SCPH brings together high school student researchers from across the Philippines, and from abroad, to share their work, exchange ideas, and build connections across diverse scientific disciplines. Through this platform, students are encouraged to collaborate, generate new knowledge, and serve as nuclei of innovation within their communities.

To learn more about SCPH 2026, visit the official event page at: https://castle.lne.st/en/schedule/philippines2026/

For inquiries regarding SCPH 2026, please contact Mr. Alexander Gali ([email protected]), Mr. Edriel Lee ([email protected]), or Ms. Hannah Balisi ([email protected]).

Interested in future implementations of Science Castle Philippines? Follow our official social media page at fb.me/LNEST.Global for updates and announcements.