Viscan student teachers earn international conference awards for teachers and educators

Two teams of graduating students from the VSU Department of Secondary Education (DSED) of the Faculty of Teacher Education (FTE) captivated the audience with their strong research skills and exceptional communication skills in the recent National Organization of Science Teachers and Educators (NOSTE) International Research Conference, Training Workshops and Biennial Convention held in Davao City, from April 28 to 30, 2025. 

The two-day conference was dominated by the VSU team as it earned the Best Research Paper awards on both days of the conference. In addition, the Best Oral Presenter award was also secured by our delegates.

In Day 1 (Cluster 3),  Paulo Tumamak, Dan Rupert Lazona and Jennifer Sevillano clinched the Best Research Paper award with their study titled, “Enhancing the Conceptual Understanding in Learning the Potential and Kinetic Energy Using Enerceptual Toolkit to Improve Performance on Energy”. Their study aimed to improve Grade 8 student’s understanding about the two fundamental forms of energy in physics. 

Similarly, the Day 2 participants composed of Shiela Lawag, Francis Kien Absalon and Francis Kier Absalon also earned the Best Research Paper award. Their research, sharing the same title to the Day 1 research study entitled, “Enhancing Conceptual Understanding of Grade 9 Students Using GameCoVi Method in Identifying Ionic and Covalent Bonds”, was focused on Ionic and Covalent bonds. 

Both award-winning studies applied the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method which emerged from their field studies conducted last semester. 

Using purposive sampling, they targeted students who possess difficulty and limited understanding about the topics. A pretest was conducted prior to their intervention, followed by a post test, to measure their field study’s impact on the students' learning.

Adding feather to the cap, their team also earned the Best Oral Presenter award. The clear articulation, impactful and effective presentation of their research study successfully highlighted its relevance to the audience and panel.

The awarded educators acknowledged the tremendous support, insightful guidance, and unyielding support they received from their research mentors, Associate Professor Joy A. Bellen and Mr. Jose Celso Perez, Jr. 

They also expressed their utmost gratitude to the university for providing them a positive learning environment and helpful resources that helped them take part and excel in the conference.

Paulo Tumamak, one of the Best Research Paper awardees, claimed that their experience in the event boosted their confidence in participating in conferences with other universities. 

“Ang amo experience sa conference nakaboost sa amo confidence nga kaya raman diay nato makig compete sa uban universities,” he uttered. 

[Our experience in the conference boosted our confidence and made us realize that we can actually compete with other universities.]

One of the awardees for the Best Research Paper – Day2, Shiela Lawag also claimed that it is possible to win and compete in an international conference through dedication and thorough preparation. 

“Ang amo goal kay atleast man lang bisan isa ka group namo makakuha ug award kay para dili alkansi ang byahe unya ang gasto sa school.” 

[We aimed to secure at least one award for either of our teams, so that our travel efforts and the university’s fund would not go to waste.]

By excelling at the NOSTE International Conference, VSU educators showed their talent on a wider stage. The achievement spurs upcoming teachers to pursue bold research and make meaningful contributions to science. 

With this success, VSU‑FTE now stands taller in the region as a hub for teacher education and professional growth.

The prestigious conference, “Quantum Leap: Bridging the Learning Gap in Science Education,” serves as a venue for educators, researchers and students from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) across the country and abroad. 

The conference aims to introduce new research findings, innovative tools and strategies to advance science education.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal No. 4: Quality Education.

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