UP NISMED Conducts Two-Part Public Lecture Series for its 61st Anniversary

The University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) held a two-part Public Lecture Series on 25 November and 1 December 2025 in celebration of its 61st anniversary. Streamed live via Facebook and YouTube, this year’s public lectures centered on the theme, “From Data to Disaster Readiness: Empowering Communities through STEM Education,” highlighting the crucial role of STEM education in helping communities interpret data, assess risks, prepare for disasters, and strengthen resilience through informed action.

This year’s UP NISMED Public Lectures centered on the theme, “From Data to Disaster Readiness: Empowering Communities through STEM Education.

In her opening remarks, UP NISMED Director Dr. Sheryl Lyn C. Monterola emphasized the growing need to transform raw data into actionable insights – an ability she described as “not merely a technical skill but a lifeline.” She expressed hope that the lectures would inspire viewers to help build “a safer, smarter, and more resilient Philippines.” 

The first lecture, delivered last 25 November 2025 by Dr. Likha Minimo, current director of the Knowledge Sharing Division of the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), was titled, “’Pagod nang maging resilient?’ Transforming Devastation into Accountability and Innovation.” Dr. Minimo discussed UPRI’s initiatives to strengthen disaster preparedness, featuring the NOAH Center, which provides accurate, real-time hazard information for communities. She also highlighted educational programs, such as the “Basics of Resilience” MOOC, and targeted information dissemination campaigns for vulnerable groups, including children and senior citizens.

The first lecture, delivered last 25 November 2025 by Dr. Likha Minimo, was titled, “’Pagod nang maging resilient?’ Transforming Devastation into Accountability and Innovation.”

During the Question and Answer (Q&A) session moderated by Mr. Eligio Obille Jr. of UP NISMED, Dr. Minimo stressed that resilience should be understood not only as an individual attribute but, more crucially, as a societal one, making cooperation and care for others essential components of teaching resilience.

The second lecture, delivered on 1 December 2025 by Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma, Assistant Professor from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of UP Diliman, was titled, “STEM for Storms: Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Hazards.” Dr. Racoma traced the development of Bachelor of Science in Meteorology programs in the Philippines, established to build a community of weather experts in a country increasingly vulnerable to hydrometeorological hazards. The new cohort of young meteorologists produced by these programs now work together on making meteorology more accessible to the public through localized, impact-based, and human-centered forecasts.

In the Q&A, Dr. Racoma emphasized the importance of initiating conversations about the weather in sparking students’ interest in meteorology. He also stressed that meteorology is only one component of disaster preparedness, and effective solutions require collaboration with other disciplines. Dr. Racoma also clarified that decisions on disaster response, such as class suspensions, are policy and governance choices, not meteorological ones. Meteorologists only provide and interpret data, and it is the local government that decides what actions to take. This aligns with the reminder left by Dr. Minimo to hold our leaders accountable and to push for sustainable, long-term planning to develop true community resilience.

The second lecture, delivered on 1 December 2025 by Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma, Assistant Professor from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of UP Diliman, was titled, “STEM for Storms: Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Hazards.”

In his closing remarks, UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo L. Vistan II commended UP NISMED for organizing a timely and relevant event amid recent calamities that have damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and taken lives. Overall, the two-part Public Lecture was a success. The two lectures have collectively drawn more than 300 live viewers and have garnered over 19,500 views on both Facebook and YouTube, as of 2 December 2025.