First, let me start by defining the word 'scientist'. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a scientist is "a person who is trained in a science and whose job involves doing scientific research or solving scientific problems" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). It basically says, anyone can be a scientist.
I remember when I was little, upon hearing that a planet (only later would I have known it was actually an asteroid) has been named after a Filipino scientist, I felt extremely proud. Imagine that, having your name in one of the things that float up in space was incredible. And I thought, she must have done something remarkable to have a 'planet' in her name. This person is Dr. Josette T. Biyo.
Image taken by Michelle S. Mauricio
Dr. Josette Talamera-Biyo was born on March 19, 1958 in Januiay, Iloilo. She is married to Nonito Biyo and has two sons, Jono Angelo and Julian Paulo (Dr. Biyo, 2011). Biyo initially wanted to pursue medicine, but due to her family's financial problems after taking up BS Biology and graduating with a degree in the said course, she proceeded to teaching (Sagalongos, 2008).
Biyo taught Science and Humanities subjects for eight years in her first assignment in Saint Elizabeth Academy in Iloilo. The school wasn't well off and lacked some facilities and equipment so Biyo resorted to a more creative way of teaching and developed this in they years that flew by. Constantly, she involves social relevance to her teachings. She said that she believes that experience is better than theory (in teaching) (Sagalongos, 2008).
Biyo pursued her Master's Degree in Biology in De La Salle University, and became a full time assistant professor in the said school (Sagalongos, 2008). In 1989, Dr. Biyo published her masteral thesis entitled 'Comparative toxicity of crude oil derivatives-hydroquinone, resorcinol and catechol to gametes and embryos of the sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla L.'. From 1990 to 1994, she has been continuously conducting research, particularly in the field of marine biology in La Salle, publishing papers almost every year (Dr. Biyo, 2011). However, in 1995, she was a hired as a special science teacher in Philippine Science high School - Western Visayas Campus so she and her family went back to Iloilo (Sagalongos, 2008).
Two years later, she received an award from the Metrobank Foundation for being one of the most outstanding teachers of the Philippines in that year (Sagalongas, 2008). The year after, she received an award from The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), sponsored by the Philippine Jaycees and Gerry Roxas foundation for her exemplary performance in Teaching (Dr. Biyo, 2011).
Biyo went back to Manila to get her Ph.D. in Biology in DLSU (Sagalongas, 2008). She performed a dissertation research entitled 'Community structure, growth and productivity of seagrasses in the coastal area of Tando, Nueva Valencia , Guimaras Island, Central Philippines (Dr. Biyo, 2011)' and was later published in the Philippine Scientist Journal (Racelis, 2012).
Biyo's biggest feat is probably winning the '2002 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award', defeating about 4000 teachers in the world (Sagalongas, 2008) and the first Asian to win in the category (A Planet Named After a Filipino). She won $5,000 cash award and a $20,000 grant to implement in her school (2003 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award).
Biyo submitted a proposal based on her class (Science Research 1) which was "designed to introduce Third Year High School" students the fundamentals of research. This included going on field trips to research facilities in the region to meet and interact with research scientists to have a better grasp on Research. The students then go back to their classrooms to do their own research (2003 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award).
Dr. Biyo once said in an interview that a good characteristic of science teaching is that "Nature is the Best Laboratory" (Racelis, 2012). She is not only a teacher but a researcher. Often times when her students do field work, she does it with them. "[...] If they do field work, I am really with them rain or shine. Even during weekends, if the students need me I will go with them," (Sagalongas, 2008). This expresses how dedicated Dr. Biyo is both to her job and on research. In fact, she has continuously been conducting research until 2002, and had her work together with Rene Rollon and Wilfredo Licuanan published entitled 'Vegetative and reproductive dynamics of the seagrasses, Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea rotundata in Guimaras Island, Central Philippines' in the Philippine Scientist Journal (Dr. Biyo, 2011).
During the panel of judging for the said awards, a judge asked Dr. Biyo, “You have a PhD in Biology, why do you teach in high school and not even in the capital city?” And she replied, “And who will teach these kids? I did not get my PhD to check papers. I got it to teach children” (Dr. Josette Biyo's Iloilo, 2010).
In October 2002, she received a letter from Dr. Grant Stokes (Dr. Josette Biyo's Iloilo, 2010). Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory had awarded her an asteroid (Dr. Biyo, 2011), previously known as Planet 13241, now known as 13241 Biyo. This asteroid is discovered in 1998, between Mars and Jupiter, and has only 3-6 kilometers in diameter (A Planet Named After a Filipino). It was reportedly said that Biyo, at first, kept the award to herself, and only on January 31 of the next year did she print a copy of the letter to show to her students in PSHS-WVC (Dr. Josette Biyo's Iloilo, 2010).
Biyo admittedly said that there had been loads of teaching offers for her both abroad and in the Philippines (Sagalongas, 2008), and around thirteen of those were from US. She fell quite emotional as several students asked her how she came into a decision because it was a tough decision to make (Camacho, et al., 2012). However, she chose to stick to PSHS-WVC because it felt that it was her calling (Sagalongas, 2008).
Biyo's persistent dedication to research and her students led to successfully delivered projects the next year. Senior High School students from PSHS-WVC had invented a calculator specially made on the purpose of solving chemistry equations. Another team had made a burglar alarm system where you can get updates and turn devices on or off through a simple SMS (Sorza, 2006).
Biyo believes that science culture is important to education. She states, and I quote, “no country will move forward until it develops a scientific culture, [...] only through accurate research we can generate accurate data" (Sorza, 2006).
As said earlier, Biyo believes in a more interactive way of teaching. She does not give lectures, but instead gives inquiry-based questions (Camacho, et al., 2012).
In an interview, she frankly tells the reporter that the science education in the Philippines is quite poor compared to our neighbor countries. "Very little quality research outputs," she tells them and admits there are only very few research centers in the country (Sorza, 2006). However, she dreams for the Philippines to grow in science culture. She said that the key step for us to grow is starting in the elementary level (Camacho, et al., 2012). Furthermore, she believes in a more active manner of teaching starting in the basic levels (Sorza, 2006).
In 2012, Dr. Josette Biyo became the Executive Director of the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS). She developed and implemented UPLIFT or Upgrading learning Institute for Teachers which aims to train high school teachers all over the country in Science, Math and English (Camacho, et al.)
Just last year, as I walk along the corridors, particularly in the front lobby, of my high school alma matter, PSHS-Main Campus, I would usually see Dr. Biyo around. She was always smiling, warm to both students and staff, yet very simple in the way she dresses and talks. It's hard to believe that this woman has done great and served our country proud for the past 20 or more years. She truly is a great inspiration to all of us.
Dr. Josette Biyo has shaped the minds of young Filipino students and trained them to be skilled in science, using nature as their primary laboratory. Through education, this scientist has brought out the little Einsteins in us and molded our minds for the better future.
Individual project
PATRON, Pia Cassandra C.
2013-14845
References:
A Planet Named After a Filipino. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.filipiknow.net/planet-biyo-named-after-a-filipino/#more-3018 on 07 March 2014.
Camacho, M.F.G., Angangco, T.M.G., Boncan, M.L.B., Racelis, K.A., & Gamboa, G.G. (2012). 'Education shapes a nation's future'. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/225518/‘education-shapes-a-nation’s-future’ on 07 March 2014.
Dr. Biyo. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.janiuay.gov.ph/about-janiuay/gallery/janiuaynon-achievers/dr-biyo/251-dr-biyo.html on 08 March 2014.
Dr. Josette Biyo's Iloilo: An inspiring story that's written in the stars. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/542878/dr-josette-biyos-iloilo-inspiring-story-thats-written-stars on 07 March 2014.
Highlights From Intel ISEF 2003: A Week of International Competition. (2003). pp 10-11. Retrieved from ftp://download.intel.com/education/isef/2003ISEFHighlights.pdf on 09 March 2014.
Racelis, A. (2012). Dr. JOSETTE BIYO: Summary of KEYNOTE SPEECH. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/incontroromano/2012philippines/therebedragons on 08 March 2014.
Sagalongos, E. (2008). A Life of Learning. Retrieved from http://www.herword.com/workbook/main.php?id=biyo20040608 on 08 March 2014.
Sorza, R.J. (2006). 'Science Culture' Needed in Philippine Education. Retrieved from http://www.onislam.net/english/health-and-science/science/448519.html on 07 March 2014.
2003 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award. (2003). pp2. Retrieved from ftp://download.intel.com/education/isef/IntelTchAward2003.pdf on 08 March 2014.
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