By AJ Alarcon and Rhianna Ramos

On Friday, February 13, Grade 12 students from the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strands went on their respective outbound educational trips to the Mega Sardines Museum, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC), and Enchanted Kingdom.

14 buses assigned for the respective classes were lined up in the parking area near Areté, and departure started at around 6:00 a.m.

ABM 

The students first arrived at the Mega Sardines Senses of the Sea Museum, where they gathered for an orientation led by representatives of Mega Prime Foods Inc.

During the orientation, the students were introduced to the company and its background, the museum, and the house rules.

The tour included the Mega Aquatic Room and the Mega Briefing Room, where the students observed the production line and the actual processing of products from the viewing deck and canning room.

Moreover, the students toured the Mega Fleet, where they attended a discussion on the different boats the company uses for fishing operations.

Furthermore, the students proceeded to the Mega Seaside Market, where they were given the opportunity to purchase the company’s products.

Afterwards, the students departed for Enchanted Kingdom, taking their lunch on the bus while waiting for the theme park to open at 11:00 a.m., before roaming and trying the various rides and attractions until 5:00 p.m.

“As we walked through the history and inner workings of Mega Sardines, and later excitedly explored the attractions of Enchanted Kingdom, we were exposed to various marketing and operations strategies,” Al Alejar of 12-Acquaviva expressed.

She added, “We also learned how incorporating ethics and sustainability into a business helps shape customers’ overall experience with a product,” also noting that the trip was insightful, especially for those who are planning for a career in entrepreneurship.

STEM

Upon arrival, each section was tasked to divide themselves into teams of four and were given a checklist where each station had a corresponding activity and stamp to be marked as completed.

The classes then rotated through different stations that focused on the real life applications of STEM, environmental awareness, and teamwork.

One station, Forest Bathing, introduced a Japanese mindfulness practice established in 1982 that focused on observation and breathing exercises to connect with nature.

In Race the Crawlers, selected students operated remote-controlled cars while facilitators explained basic car gear functions.

The station No Left Turn had each group select representatives who needed to complete a maze without making any left turns, with the help of their teammates for instructions.

The outbound facilitators then conducted logic-based puzzles in the activity Math Sticks and applied practical science through estimating the size of a whale shark using ropes, rulers, and measuring tapes.

In Ecollapse, pairs from each group were given 30 seconds to build a jumbo Jenga tower and, upon removing a block, identify a natural resource and its corresponding product.

Students also visited various animal enclosures, including the Serpentarium (House of Slytherin), Aviary, Mini Zoo, Agila attraction, and Math Rocks station.

Afterwards, the students proceeded to Enchanted Kingdom and were also allowed free roaming until 5:00 p.m., returning to campus at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Reflecting on the experience, Lia Roc from 12-Walpole emphasized the importance of values in STEM, stating, “while STEM is often associated with innovation and technology, values must be imbued into new inventions.”

She added that merely being smart or having the skills to excel is not enough, as it requires true compassion and care to help many people.

Meanwhile, a fellow Walpole student, MJ Montoya, highlighted the environment-related lessons of the trip, saying, “We can help take care of animals, especially endangered ones, by first educating ourselves about it and being aware of the factors that affect it.”

Montoya also underscored the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling, as rapid production contributes to environmental waste.

The classes from the General Academics (GA) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) strands will have their outbound educational trips on Friday, February 27, to the Mega Sardines Senses of the Sea Museum, SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, and Enchanted Kingdom.