Science Castle Philippines 2026: Reshaping Research Culture and Mindset for the Next Generation of Researchers

METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Science Castle Philippines 2026, a two-day event held from 17 to 18 January 2026, concluded successfully with high spirits from young researchers from the Philippines and neighboring countries. Hosted at Mapúa University – Intramuros Campus, the second implementation of this Leave a Nest flagship program unfolded at the heart of Metro Manila, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to strengthening the Philippine science and technology ecosystem by providing guidance, collaboration opportunities, and a platform for innovation for the next generation of STEM enthusiasts and professionals.

At its core, Science Castle is a global multidisciplinary research conference series for high school students pioneered by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. First established in Osaka, Japan in 2012, the initiative draws inspiration from Osaka Castle as a historic center of culture and innovation. As part of this international movement, Science Castle Philippines 2026 aimed to continue efforts to cultivate a strong research culture among high school students. Thus, a two-day event was held that promoted the holistic development of young researchers as thinkers, collaborators, and communicators. The first day focused on nurturing research networks and sparking interdisciplinary interest through workshops and interactive activities such as Human Bingo. On the second day, students presented their research projects and received feedback and mentorship from fellow students, educators, academics, and representatives from government and industry.

A Growing Local Research Platform

Students engaged in discussions and peer interaction during the Human Bingo activity

This year’s Science Castle Philippines welcomed over 300 attendees, bringing together 89 research teams from 24 schools, supported by 23 research coaches and 11 partner organizations spanning industry, government, and academia. These numbers reflect the event’s continued growth as a collaborative platform for nurturing young researchers and strengthening the local research ecosystem.

The successful staging of the event was made possible through the invaluable support of its partners. Leave a Nest Philippines extends its heartfelt gratitude to its Main Partners Focus Systems Corporation and Lockheed Martin for their continued commitment to science education. The organization likewise sincerely thank Supporting Partner AVAD K.K., along with Strategic Partners Philippine Coding Camp; the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC); SF Group of Companies; Makerlab Electronics; and Jeremake, for working together to realize a shared vision of honing young researchers for the betterment of society.

Research Coaches as Pillars of Student Development

The research coaches of Science Castle Philippines 2026

Central to the success of Science Castle Philippines 2026 was the active involvement of its research coaches, who provided both evaluation and guidance to students throughout the conference. Marking an evolution from previous implementations, the program placed equal emphasis on assessment and mentorship. This shift veered away from the traditional role of judges and positioned research coaches as partners in the students’ learning journey.

Representing diverse backgrounds across academia, industry, and education, these veteran researchers played a pivotal role in nurturing students’ research skills, critical thinking, and collaborative mindset. Leave a Nest Philippines extends its sincere appreciation to the following research coaches for their invaluable contributions to the event: Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos; Dr. Shuhei Tanami; Engr. Josa Elegado; Ms. Christine Germinal; Dr. Reinabelle Reyes; Dr. Ernest Macalalad; Dr. Vladimir P. Villegas; Mr. Julex Rey V. Aguila; Dr. Susan T. Bacud; Prof. Myla R. Santiago-Bautista, LPT, PhD; Mr. Glenn Mark Cobacha; Dr. Lyn Marie De Juan-Corpuz; Dr. Ryan Corpuz; Mr. Elmerei Cuevas; Dr. Michael Delmo; Engr. Ann Camille Fajardo; Mr. Josel Godezano; Ms. Cleodette L. Lagata; Mr. Eiffel Vincent C. Manansala; Mr. John Justin C. Mesias; Ms. Eleanor Olegario; Ms. Adeliza Mae L. Realingo; and Mr. Uduakosu George Ukpong.

 

A Glimpse into the Two Days of Science Castle Philippines 2026

Students worked on their activity books during the Leave a Nest and Lockheed Martin student workshop

Building on its emphasis on the holistic development of young researchers, Science Castle Philippines 2026 was designed as a two-day program with distinct yet complementary objectives. While the first day focused on research culture building, the second day was dedicated to fostering a research collaborative mindset. Through this structure, students were able to ground their work in strong scientific practice while expanding their perspectives through exchange and feedback.

The Day for Research Culture Building

The first day of Science Castle Philippines 2026 focused on cultivating a strong research culture among participants by emphasizing curiosity, the value of connection and collaboration, and an appreciation for interdisciplinary knowledge.

Beginning the opening ceremony that set the tone for the two-day event, Dr. Delia B. Senoro, Assistant Vice President for International Linkages, Relations and Development Cooperation of Mapúa University, formally welcomed the participants by expressing pride in their ideas and encouraging them to be fearless, ask hard questions, and embrace collaboration. This was followed by introductory remarks from Mr. Alexander Gali, Project Lead of Science Castle Philippines at Leave a Nest Philippines, who shared his personal journey as a young researcher and emphasized that Science Castle serves as a platform for students to solve problems, make research sustainable, and showcase their work. Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos, Managing Director of Leave a Nest Philippines, then shared the company’s vision of Science Castle and how the participants can take advantage of the opportunity to help them grow as researchers that will make a positive impact on society.

From left to right: Dr. Delia B. Senoro led the welcoming remarks, Mr. Alexander Gali delivered the introductory remarks, and Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos delivered the Science Castle remarks during the opening ceremony

The opening ceremony was further enriched by a keynote address from Dr. Kihoko Tokue, Director of the Education Research Institute of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., who emphasized the importance of curiosity and asking questions, encouraging the students to find enjoyment in pursuing knowledge despite being uncomfortable at times. Partner remarks were delivered by Mr. Ryo Inori, Sales Manager of Focus Systems Corporation, and Ms. Mary Abigael Go, Communications Representative of Lockheed Martin. Both speakers expressed their strong commitment to advancing education in the Philippines and shared a common goal of empowering the next generation of innovators through collaboration. They emphasized the importance of working with young researchers, highlighted their interest in supporting new ideas, and described innovation as a combination of creativity and action, expressing confidence that the students of Science Castle would go on to develop groundbreaking solutions.

From left to right: Dr. Tokue delivered the keynote address, followed by partner remarks from Mr. Inori and Ms. Go during the opening ceremony

Following the opening ceremony, the program transitioned into dynamic presentations and interactive activities designed to immerse students in research exchange and dialogue. This segment began with the Research Splash Presentations, where randomly selected teams delivered one-minute pitches to introduce and highlight their research topics, serving as an entry point for deeper discussion. This was followed by a Knowledge Sharing session using a research-discussion “bingo” format, designed to spark meaningful conversations and facilitate peer-to-peer interaction across disciplines.

The day continued with a series of hands-on workshops that connected students directly with industry and education partners, opening opportunities for new and deeper appreciation of scientific topics beyond their usual classroom experiences. Through these sessions, participants were introduced to practical tools, concepts, and methodologies that demonstrated how research and technology are applied in real-world contexts.

Student workshops covered a wide range of disciplines and were designed to either introduce participants to new topics or deepen their appreciation of familiar ones. Leave a Nest Philippines, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, facilitated a session on communication through Morse code and signal systems, allowing students to explore fundamental principles of information transmission. AVAD K.K. (SPACEBLOCK) introduced students to programming and computational thinking, while Philippine Coding Camp guided participants in building and controlling Arduino-based robotic systems with wireless applications. Makerlab Electronics led a workshop on 3D printing basics and prototyping, exposing students to digital fabrication processes, while Jeremake Innovation Inc. showcased the use of Make-roscope, a portable microscope, for scientific observation and research.

Top (from left to right): Students engaged in hands-on learning activities through workshops facilitated by Jeremake Innovations Inc. and AVAD K.K.

Bottom (from left to right): Students explored STEM concepts through workshops led by Leave a Nest & Lockheed Martin, and Philippine Coding Camp

In parallel, dedicated sessions were held for teachers to strengthen their role as facilitators of research culture in schools. A panel session conducted in partnership with Focus Systems Corporation focused on promoting education beyond the classroom, with particular emphasis on biodiversity and field-based research. Meanwhile, the Leave a Nest NEST Workshop highlighted how the company’s principles may be applied to strengthen inquiry-based and research-driven STEM education, encouraging students to explore through curiosity and experimentation. Together, these sessions reinforced the importance of educators, and equipped them with the tools and perspectives needed to support student learning beyond the conference.

The Day for Advancing Research Collaboration

The second day of Science Castle Philippines 2026 centered on advancing research collaboration and continuity, providing students with opportunities to present their work, receive in-depth feedback, and explore pathways for further development beyond the conference.

The day opened with remarks from Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla, Director of Leave a Nest Philippines, who emphasized that Science Castle is not a competition, but a platform designed to nurture research, collaboration, and long-term growth among young researchers. This philosophy was further highlighted through the Science Castle Grant Presentations, conducted in partnership with Lockheed Martin, which recognized three outstanding research teams who received financial aid and three months of mentorship support:

Code	School	Project Title
G-1E	Valencia National High School	SmartMed Drone: AI-Enabled Biodegradable Medical Courier
G-2E	Pagalanggang National High School	Salipawikan: Biomimetic Amphibious Drone for Search and Rescue
G-3E	Bansud National High School – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA	Tesseract: Sweat-Powered Self-Recharging Textile Device

From left to right: Student representatives from Science Castle Grant Awardees G-1E, G-2E, and G-3E shared their research projects and research journeys

Following the presentation of the Science Castle Grant awardees, the program transitioned to the Poster Presentations, where 89 student research teams showcased their projects through more focused and interactive discussions. Each team was approached by at least two research coaches, who gave  constructive feedback as well as advice tailored to the next stages of their research through a ten-minute session. Spanning a total of two hours, this segment gave all participating teams ample opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with their assigned research coaches and peers.

In the afternoon, the program advanced to the Oral Presentation sessions, where twelve selected student research teams presented their work before a seven-member judging panel composed of leaders from academia, industry, and government. This segment reflected Science Castle’s commitment to nurturing research through multi-sector mentorship and collaboration, providing students with diverse perspectives on their work.

The oral judging panel of Science Castle Philippines 2026

The official judging panel for Science Castle Philippines 2026 comprised:

– Dr. Kihoko Tokue, Director, Education Research Institute, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

– Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla, Director, Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc.

– Dr. Delia B. Senoro, Assistant Vice President for International Linkages, Relations and Development Cooperation, Mapúa University

– Atty. Charina Ocampo, Government Relations Representative, Lockheed Martin

– Dr. Gabriel Avelino Sampedro, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Balik Scientist; Philippine Coding Camp; DOST–MIRDC

– Ms. Mariko Yasuda, Marketing and Public Relations Director, SF Group of Companies

– Mr. Voltaire Gaviola, Makerlab Brand Supervisor, Makerlab Electronics

Similar to the research coaches, the judges provided detailed feedback and guidance beyond typical evaluation, encouraging students to refine their ideas and progress to the next stages of their research journey.

Following the oral presentations, booth exhibits were held, providing participants with opportunities to engage more closely with Science Castle Philippines 2026 program partners. Through these exhibits, partner organizations showcased their platforms, initiatives, and programs, highlighting how they support and empower high school researchers through mentorship, technology access, and collaboration opportunities. Furthermore, these interactions allowed participants to explore potential pathways beyond the conference, reinforcing Science Castle’s role as a bridge between young researchers and the broader science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

From left to right: Representatives from Lockheed Martin and Focus Systems Corporation engaged with visitors during the booth exhibits 

From left to right: Representatives from AVAD K.K. (SPACEBLOCK) and Jeremake Innovations Inc. interacted with visitors during the booth exhibits

Celebrating Research Excellence and Innovation

Science Castle Philippines 2026 concluded with a Recognition and Awarding Ceremony, celebrating research excellence while encouraging students to continue refining and advancing their work beyond the conference. The ceremony recognized outstanding projects through a range of awards, including Poster Awards, Special Poster Awards, Partner Innovation Awards, and the Grand Award, with recipients receiving monetary support and mentorship opportunities to help sustain their research journey. As a gesture of appreciation, Mapúa University also presented all Oral Presenters with special tokens in recognition of their excellence.

Poster Awardees

Each Poster Awardee team received a PHP 3,500 monetary award jointly provided by Leave a Nest and Mapúa University. The Poster Awardees for Science Castle Philippines 2026 are as follows:

Code	School	Project Title
S-21N	University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo	MangroveMatch: A GIS-Based Web Tool for Identifying Mangrove Restoration Sites and Suitable Species in Iloilo City
P-3E	MIMAROPA Regional Science High School	CartiLikha: Injectable Hydrogel-Based Articular Cartilage Regeneration for Osteoarthritis using Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Sodium Alginate (SA) Combined with Takip-kuhol (Centella asiatica) Extracts
S-32S	Bansud National High School – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA	Synergistic Anticancer Potential of Lantana camara and Doxorubicin on MCF-7 Cells: Targeting ERα, PI3K Pathway, and CDK4/6 with Integrated Toxicity Profiling
P-44T	San Pablo City Science Integrated High School	Lifebridge: Development and Evaluation of IoT-Based and Fuzzy Logic Algorithm–Integrated Wearable Platform Using ESP32C3 Microcontroller for Real-Time Patient Stratification and Emergency Triage
S-41T	Brooke’s Point National High School	SafeTurn: Solar-Powered Smart Blind Curve Warning System

Top (from left to right): Research teams P-44T, P-3E, and S-32S recognized as Poster Awardees; Bottom (from left to right): Research teams S-21N and P-44T recognized as Poster Awardees.

Special Awards

In addition to the Poster Awards, Special Awards were conferred in recognition of research projects that demonstrated strong potential for further development and alignment with the expertise and initiatives of Science Castle Philippines’ collaborators. These awards, presented by partner organizations, came with specific inclusions designed to support the continued growth of the research projects. The awardees are as follows:

Award	Awarding Body	Inclusions	Awardee
Special Poster Award	Research Coaches	PHP 3,500 monetary award	S-8T SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 NephrIQ – AI-Enhanced Saliva and Breath Diagnostic System for Early Kidney Stress Detection
Focal Labs Innovation Award	Focal Labs Innovation	Ideas in Motion Program mentorship	O-6E Central Mindanao University Laboratory High School Orgafex-KCO: Banana (Musa acuminata × balbisiana) Pseudostems as a Green Source of Potassium Carbonate for Type K Dry Fire Extinguishers
Jeremake Award	Jeremake Innovations Inc.	Mentorship	P-14E Tanza National Comprehensive High School “Watts Up, Hya!”: Green Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Dots (CDs) from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Leaves for Enhancing Zinc-Ion Battery (ZIB) Performance
Pinoy Scientists Award	Pinoy Scientists	Special highlight feature on Pinoy Scientists pages and Pinoy Scientists merchandise	O-10T The Mabini Academy of Lipa, Batangas BeeSION: A Real-Time YOLOv8-Based AI-Driven System for Early Detection of Varroa destructor in Honeybee Colonies with an Integrated 3D-Printed Encased Acaricidal Vaporizer Treatment
			P-33T Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School CEURA-LPN: Centralized Environment for Unified Resource Allocation as a Localized Pooling Network
Focus Systems Poster Award	Focus Systems Corporation	PHP 2,000 monetary award	S-29T Muntinlupa Science High School Green Valorization of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Husk-Based Biocomposite Substrates via Water-Based Diazonium Chemistry and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Cross-Linking for Potential Hydroponic System Applications
Makerlab Award	Makerlab	3D printing workshop with guided, practical training from beginner to advanced levels	O-10T The Mabini Academy of Lipa, Batangas BeeSION: A Real-Time YOLOv8-Based AI-Driven System for Early Detection of Varroa destructor in Honeybee Colonies with an Integrated 3D-Printed Encased Acaricidal Vaporizer Treatment
			O-7E Trece Martires City National High School Structural Performance of 3D House Frame Models Using the Concept of Selected Conic Sections under Simulated Earthquake Conditions

Special Poster Award conferred to research team S-8T

Focal Labs Innovation Award conferred to research team O-6E

Jeremake Award conferred to research team P-14E

Pinoy Scientists Awards conferred to O-10T and P-33T

Focus Systems Poster Award conferred to S-29T

Makerlab Award conferred to O-10T and O-7E

Grand Award

The Grand Award is the highest recognition conferred at Science Castle Philippines 2026, honoring a research team whose work demonstrated strong potential for advancement and impact. Beyond recognition, the award provides financial support and opportunities for international exposure, enabling continued mentorship and research development beyond the conference. Awarded by Leave a Nest Philippines, the Grand Award included a PHP 10,000 monetary grant and a trip to Science Castle Asia in Malaysia, valued at PHP 30,000, for one student and one teacher.

This year, the award was presented to Oral Presenter O-9S from the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo for their research project, Number-Theoretic Analysis of Emirp Differences.

Oral Presenter O-9S received the Grand Award from head judge Dr. Tokue

In line with Science Castle’s philosophy, these awards were not positioned as competitive distinctions, but as mechanisms for identifying research teams that may benefit from immediate support within the existing ecosystem. All participating teams were recognized for their efforts and are welcomed as part of the broader Leave a Nest ecosystem, where continued growth, collaboration, and mentorship are encouraged.

Continuing the Journey of Young Researchers

As Science Castle Philippines continues to grow, it remains committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, contributing to stronger STEM education and sustainable research pathways. The Science Castle series will also continue across multiple regions worldwide in 2026. Conference dates and schedules may be accessed through the official Science Castle website: https://castle.lne.st/en/schedule/.

Together, these platforms will continue to bring together brilliant young minds, educators, and industry leaders, strengthening collaboration and expanding opportunities for student-led research on a global scale.