The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Batangas is expanding access to its digital science library program, STARBOOKS, across the province. This includes well-equipped schools like De La Salle Lipa, marking a significant development in the initiative’s reach.

Previously focused on providing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) resources to underserved schools, DOST-Batangas installed STARBOOKS at De La Salle Lipa on May 7. 

The program offers a repository of thousands of digitized science and technology resources, accessible even without an internet connection.

According to Chona Chavez, librarian at De La Salle Lipa, STARBOOKS is expected to enhance the learning experience for students and encourage a culture of research and innovation within the school. 

While the school provided the necessary computer setup, DOST-Batangas shouldered the installation and personnel training.

The program aims to supplement classroom learning and enhance research capabilities. “While DOST offered STARBOOKS for free, including the computer set-up especially to marginalized schools, in De La Salle Lipa, we provided the STARBOOKS system into the computers they provided,” John Maico Hernandez, a senior research specialist at DOST-Batangas, told the Philippine News Agency.

According to the DOST-CALABARZON webpage, DOST-Batangas has been actively promoting the use of STARBOOKS among educational institutions in the province since 2015, 

This latest rollout brings the total number of STARBOOKS recipients in Batangas to 112. The program recently reached Nasugbu East SHS, with its Science Group Coordinator, Elsa M. Capacia, expressing enthusiasm about the additional resources for both students and teachers.

“This STARBOOKS system will also benefit our teachers by providing them with additional resources and tools to create more engaging and interactive lessons for their students,” Capacia said.

DOST’s STARBOOKS program provides a valuable resource for STEM education in Batangas, ensuring a wider range of schools can access a rich library of science and technology materials.