SCIENCE: A LOOK ON TODAY’S BIODIVERSITY
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE QUANTUM ACADEMY, INC.
To Forestall a Eulogy
Volume XVII, Issue No. 1 Division of General Santos City Region XII-SOCCSKSARGEN
NEWS
FEATURES
Young minds spar again: Battle of the brains returns at TQA
Empowered Women at Crossroads
Read on page 4
See on page 8 to 9
EDITORIAL
SPORTS FEATURE
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacts Republic Act 12080, a crucial step in tackling mental health stigma and supporting student well-being.
Approaching the Finish Line: Student-athlete tells all Read on page 16
Read on page 5
SUBJECT TO TASTE
Decades of struggle have empowered women to lead, govern, innovate, and drive change, yet with power comes complexity, challenges, and the inevitable crossroads of choices.
Strong Plans, Weak Foundations by Yuna Keira Colon | PAGE 5
TQA sets bar high for robotics education
BY THE Q-COUNT
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by KIARA ANNELISE VALENCIA
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dulearn Academy recognized The Quantum Academy’s (TQA) Robotics teachers for their outstanding proficiency in Arduino during the Robotics Teachers Training in Davao on July 5-6, 2024. Led by Teacher Charity Garcia, the team—comprised of teachers Grace Naul, Rembranth Oniot, and Earl Hormigoso—brought home valuable knowledge, expanding the scope of robotics education at TQA. “With Arduino, it is a lot easier for the students to understand the laws in Physics and electronics because our students can actually see how things work. This also enhances the innovative, creative thinking skills, and critical or problem-solving skills of our students–these skills that are lifelong learning and most important to our students to learn,” answered T. Garcia. This achievement underscores TQA’s commitment to innovation and excellence in education, paving the way for future advancements in robotics that prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.
YEARS
since TQA joined an in-person journalism competition
17 MEDALS TQA bagged 17 medals in 4 events at the 21st Word Cup National Journalism Confab DOMINATING STREAK. Members of the Optics bring home 17 medals from their participation in the 21st Word Cup National Journalism Conference. Courtesy of Froilan Aguring
AUTHENTIC JOURNALISM
TQA partakes 21st Word Cup National Journalism Confab, secures 17 awards by ARIANNA GARCIA
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o further enhance campus writers’ knowledge of the many skills significant in the field of journalism, the Word Cup Edcalibre International Company held its 21st Word Cup National Journalism Conference and Ambassadors Award at Angel’s Hills, Tagaytay City from May 4-5, 2024. The journalism event comprised of six guest speakers and 250 participants across 15 regions in the Philippines, with over nine writing categories in both the English and Filipino language, namely: News Writing/Pagsulat ng Balita, Feature Writing/Pagsulat ng Lathalain, Editorial Writing/Pagsulat ng Pang-ulong Tudling, Mobile Journalism, Sports Writing/Pagsulat ng Balitang Isport, Copyreading & Headline Writing/Pag-uulo at Pagwawasto ng Balita, Science Writing/Pagsulat ng Balitang Agham, Photojournalism/Pagkuha ng Larawan, and Column Writing/Pagsulat ng Opinyon. Following the theme, “The Role of
ARDUINO Arduino is an open-source electronics system that combines hardware and software, allowing users to create digital devices and interactive projects.
Science Museums in Promoting a Science Nation: Fostering Interests in Science, Math and STEM-Related Courses and Careers,” the delegates were instructed to write about the theme, events, and statements said during the 21st Word Cup Mini Press Conference. Journalists assigned to photojournalism were taken to Tagaytay Picnic Grove, one of Tagaytay’s most popular tourist attractions, where the view of Taal Lake is evident. There, the delegates took pictures, interacted with tourists, and interviewed workers to create a connection
30 MILLION Arduino users worldwide
The Arduino Engineering Kit won the Bett Award for “Higher Education or Further Education Digital Services” in 2020.
CONTINUE ON PAGE 2
SOURCE: ARDUINO
The New Normal: TQA kicks off first online quarterly exams by ARIANNA GARCIA
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eeping up with the demands of the digital era, The Quantum Academy (TQA) embarked on the second part of the first quarterly examinations via the school’s official online platforms, Genyo and Microsoft Forms, on Monday, October 7, 2024. This shift provided a more convenient and efficient examination process for the students. The school administered the exams at different testing venues, a process set to conclude on October 11, Friday.
Upper School (US) students have been taking their examinations in the morning. They are assigned to different testing rooms: MakerSpace, Genyo Computer Laboratory, LS Robotics Laboratory, US Robotics Laboratory, and Astron Gallery. The Mini-Conference/Viewing Room is on standby if more space is needed. Meanwhile, the Lower School pupils have been assigned to take their exams in the afternoon. Specifically, examinees were assigned CONTINUE ON PAGE 4
Mayor Lorelie to manifest changes in public transportation by SITTI FHARHANNAH DATUKAKA, ARIANNA GARCIA, KIARA ANNELISE VALENCIA
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eneral Santos City Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao outlined her strategic initiatives and goodwill at the City Hall on June 27, 2024, following the consolidation of all city jeepneys.
ASPIRATIONS WITHIN REACH. Optics staffers interview Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao of General Santos City regarding possible changes in public transportation. Photo by Enrico Gomez
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students claimed they had a somewhat positive experience in the first two rounds of online exams SOURCE: OPTICS SURVEY
In an interview with the staff, Mayor Pacquiao highlighted her efforts in addressing the concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. “Siyempre, una-una, matagal na talaga akong nagko-commute ‘no… siyempre masaya ka at nakakausap mo yung driver at napapakinggan mo kung ano yung nangyayari dito sa palibot natin, dito sa GenSan, at kinukuha [ko] din yung mga opinyon nila. (First of all, I’ve been commuting for a long time already. It is also enjoyable being able to talk to the drivers and hear about the events happening within GenSan. At the same time, I am also able to collect their opinions),” Pacquiao remarked. When asked about further plans of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of GenSan, Pacquiao emphasized the importance of consulting the transportation sector and the drivers while considering schoolbound commuting. CONTINUE ON PAGE 4
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY. TQA utilizes its online platforms to conduct the second part of the examinations in the Genyo Laboratory. Courtesy of Froilan Aguring
BY THE Q-COUNT
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According to the 2017 General Santos City LTPRP survey, 81% of schoolbound and work-bound trips utilized public transportation, while 19% relied on private transportation.
SCIENCE
Solid Waste Management: The Role of the Youth Read on page 13 NEWS
Qkids secure awards in 35th National Statistics Month competitions Read on page 3 EDITORIAL
In February 2024, General Santos City achieved a 100% consolidation rate being the first to do so in the country, as applauded by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, according to the Philippine News Agency. NCR has a consolidation rate of 60%.
Fight or Plight Read on page 6