I was told that STEM is the hardest among the strands, but in the long run it wasn’t. Instead, it has unfolded into a journey of unexpected opportunities and experiences that would change my viewpoint in life.
Since STEM includes science, two subparts of the discipline were added in our subject, namely, Earth Science and General Biology 1 & 2, and fortunate as it seems, it is an additional burden and experience to us.
Among the opportunities I experienced in the STEM strand was about the mysterious group visiting our school and announcing that it would be having an exhibition—merely focusing on Earth Science. It was the Space Time Events and Exhibit—who, in summary, gives SpaceDome, SpaceEx, SpaceTalk and SpaceRace experiences.
As a student who hasn’t experienced that kind of activity, I felt excited. Actually, the highlights of this activity were teaching students how planets, especially Earth, stars, and black holes formed, how Newton's law of motion affects an object’s speed, how robots are being operated and designed to move, and what are the different types of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
Aside from gaining knowledge, we could also receive additional points from our Earth Science subject teacher. Honestly, I didn’t really want to join the activity. Weekends are my sanctuary and the costs are a little bit burdensome. But when I heard that our Earth Science teacher would give us extra points, I immediately told my mother, explaining and emphasizing to her how this activity aligned with our curriculum and the underlying benefits of participating in the said activity.
As the event neared, curiosity and different imaginations filled my mind. When the day of the activity finally came, the very first session I entered was the Robot place. Inside, all of the tables were filled with robots with different designs, actions, and uses. I was really amazed because it was the very first time that I saw a robot moving on its own with human control.
The first robot that was introduced to us was the one that scanned a ball, picked it up, and threw it away.
The second was the one that could do push-ups and kick a ball.
The third one was the students’ favorite, as well as mine—the one that danced when it heard a sound, its movements syncing with the rhythms.
Aside from robots, you could also see different devices there, such as the moon moving on its own and an object that made a light bulb shine and flicker.
Next, I excitedly stepped into the second session, which would be executed inside a dark, hollow tent. It was really dark and cold inside, and all you could see was a tiny red light. Truth be told, it gave a little bit of a scary ambience. When the exhibition was about to start, the mentor who was assigned told us that we had to stay silent and never open our cellphone because the light it emits would hinder the trajectory. During the exhibition inside, it was really good to experience the room—so wonderful that you could really imagine what it would feel like if you were in outer space.
The third destination was the Rocket Bottle. The bottles were filled with water and heavy pressure. When the water that was filling the bottle stopped, the pressure grew bigger, and if it was undragged by the student, it would explode, causing it to fly into the air.
The final session was the classification of rocks and their types. Inside a room, there was a geologist showcasing how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are formed. In addition, it included a demonstration about how and where we can find minerals. Honestly, I was stunned by how professional the geologists were. They were a beautiful experience I could trade prison for. And leaving the exhibition venue gave me a feeling of a little increase in pride.
What began as bonus points became a reminder of why I chose STEM. That day I didn’t just gain points, I also gained motivation to love my chosen strand and rediscovered the joy of learning. I thought STEM would be a burden, but instead it is a passport to wonder. Opportunities like this exhibition shaped my way of thinking—from the Earth’s concept to my very viewpoint in life. I don’t regret not pushing through with my plan of not attending the exhibition, because it gave me enough pretty memories to keep as a keepsake. If I am ever asked to do it again, I would say I could do it a million times.