Memes Revolutionize STEM Education: A Groundbreaking Study from Ateneo de Manila University

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In an age dominated by digital innovation, education must evolve to resonate with today’s learners. Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University have unveiled a groundbreaking study demonstrating the power of internet memes in transforming the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Their findings revealed that students taught biology using memes scored 21% higher in tests and exhibited greater enthusiasm and confidence compared to their peers who learned through traditional methods.

The Study at a Glance

The research, led by Alyanna Nicole Carlos and Dr. Emmanuel Delocado, involved over 200 Grade 11 Filipino private high school students in non-STEM tracks, who were required to study biology. Students were divided into two groups:

Experimental Group: Taught biology with lessons infused with memes.

Control Group: Taught the same lessons using traditional materials.

Over five weeks, both groups tackled complex topics such as cellular division and genetics. The experimental group engaged in activities like meme creation to reinforce their learning. The impact was measured using pre-tests and post-tests, along with surveys assessing students' attitudes toward science and their self-efficacy in biology.

Key Findings

Improved Learning Outcomes:

Students taught using memes scored an average of 21.46 correct answers on post-tests, significantly higher than the 17.74 average of the control group.

Enhanced Attitudes and Confidence:

The experimental group expressed a more positive attitude toward biology and greater confidence in understanding and applying scientific concepts.

Reduced Anxiety and Increased Engagement:

Memes helped students relate to complex topics, reducing anxiety and making learning more enjoyable and memorable.

Creativity and Deeper Understanding:

Encouraging students to create their own memes deepened their comprehension of lessons and fostered a creative connection to the material.

Why Memes Work in Education

Memes, characterized by their humor and cultural relevance, serve as a bridge between abstract scientific concepts and students' digital-native habits. By incorporating familiar internet culture into the classroom, educators can engage Gen Z learners more effectively. This approach aligns with current pedagogical strategies that emphasize interactive and relatable teaching methods.

Dr. Delocado explains, "Memes are not just tools for entertainment—they are a language that resonates with today's learners. By integrating humor and relevance, we make science approachable and memorable."

Implications for Educators

The Ateneo study opens the door for educators to rethink traditional teaching methods. Here’s how teachers can leverage memes in classrooms:

Design Engaging Lessons: Incorporate memes to explain complex concepts in a relatable and humorous way.

Encourage Student Creativity: Allow students to create memes as assignments, reinforcing their understanding while fostering creativity.

Foster a Positive Learning Environment: Use memes to reduce subject-related anxiety and make STEM topics less intimidating.

Global Context: The Rise of Edutainment

This study reflects a broader global trend of integrating edutainment (education + entertainment) into classrooms. From gamification to digital simulations, innovative tools are reshaping how students learn. With memes now proven as an effective educational medium, they could become a cornerstone in modern teaching strategies, especially for STEM education.

Published Research and Future Directions

The findings, published in the Asian Journal of Biology Education, have garnered widespread attention, earning the 2024 SOSE Week Special Citation for Outstanding Graduate Research. The researchers hope to expand their studies to other STEM subjects, exploring how memes could revolutionize mathematics, chemistry, and physics education.

What’s Next?

The implications of this study are immense for Filipino education and beyond. With tools like memes breaking traditional barriers, STEM education could become more inclusive, engaging, and effective for future generations.

To learn more, visit archium.ateneo.edu. For interviews and inquiries, email the Research Communications Section at media.research@ateneo.edu.

Memes are no longer just internet humor—they’re the future of education.

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DepEd’s Bold Move: Massive Overhaul of SHS Curriculum to Guarantee Future-Ready Filipino Graduates!

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In a concerted effort to enhance the employability and readiness of Senior High School (SHS) graduates, the Department of Education (DepEd) has initiated a series of strategic consultations and curriculum reforms. These initiatives aim to align educational outcomes with industry demands, ensuring that Filipino learners are well-prepared for the evolving job market.

Streamlining the SHS Curriculum

One of the pivotal steps undertaken by DepEd is the simplification of the SHS curriculum. Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the necessity of reducing the number of core subjects from the existing 15 to just five or six. This reduction is intended to provide students with more time for on-the-job training and work immersion, thereby enhancing their practical skills and making them more attractive to potential employers. 

Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of flexibility within the educational system, stating, "If we reduce the subjects of our SHS curriculum, the students will have more time for the on-the-job training or work immersion needed by the industry so that our senior high school graduates will become more employable even if they lack work experience." 

Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement

To ensure that the curriculum reforms are comprehensive and effective, DepEd has been actively engaging with various stakeholders. In January 2025, a series of consultations were conducted involving 31 private schools and technical vocational institutions, 14 companies and organizations from different regions, seven government agencies, and representatives from various DepEd Central Office departments. These dialogues were instrumental in gathering feedback and recommendations for refining the SHS curriculum. 

Secretary Angara underscored the significance of these collaborations, stating, "Just as I promised our DepEd conversations with TESDA, with industry, with private institutions will be a continuing process. I think it will never stop because in the implementation, industries will continue to evolve, to change. So we need to evolve along with them." 

Key Principles Guiding Curriculum Revision

The revision of the SHS Program is anchored on several key principles:

Decongesting and Simplifying the Curriculum: By reducing the number of subjects, students can focus more on areas that directly contribute to their chosen career paths.

Emphasizing Learner Choice: Providing students with options allows them to tailor their education to their interests and strengths, fostering a more engaged and motivated learning experience.

Ensuring "Stackability and Seamlessness": This approach facilitates smooth progression from one educational level to the next, ensuring that skills and knowledge acquired are cumulative and build upon previous learning.

Strengthening Industry Linkages: By forging stronger connections with industry partners, the curriculum can be aligned with current and future labor market needs, enhancing the relevance of the education provided.

Future Directions

DepEd's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its plans to conduct local consultations led by Regional Curriculum and Learning Management Division Chiefs from January 24 to February 24, 2025. These efforts aim to further refine the SHS curriculum, ensuring it remains responsive to the dynamic needs of industries and the aspirations of Filipino learners. 

In conclusion, DepEd's proactive measures in streamlining the SHS curriculum and engaging with stakeholders reflect a dedicated pursuit of an education system that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the modern workforce. Through these reforms, the department aims to produce graduates who are not only employable but also capable of contributing meaningfully to the nation's development.

Pioneering Cybersecurity and AI Strategies: GRC Philippines Conclave 2025

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The inaugural Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Philippines Conclave, held on January 17, 2025, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, marked a transformative moment for the nation's technology landscape. Bringing together over 150 organizations from key industries such as IT, BFSI (Banking, Finance Services, and Insurance), BPO, and E-commerce, the event emphasized the urgent need for robust cybersecurity frameworks and responsible AI adoption in an era of evolving digital threats.

Uniting Industry Leaders to Tackle Emerging Threats

Keynote speakers and panels addressed the dual-edged nature of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity. While AI offers groundbreaking opportunities for automation and fraud detection, it also lowers the barriers for cyberattacks.

Jeffrey Ian Dy, Undersecretary of Infostructure Management at the DICT, highlighted this paradox:

“The barrier of entry for cyber-attacks has decreased because of AI.”

Dy shared that the DICT monitors up to 1.7 to 2 million cyber threats per month, underscoring the increasing complexity of the digital landscape. The call to action was clear: collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to secure the Philippines' digital infrastructure.

The Human-AI Synergy in Financial Security

In the fintech and banking sectors, industry leaders discussed how malicious actors exploit technology, particularly through phishing schemes and scam links in SMS messages.

John Patrick Lita (ING) and Carlos Tengkiat (RCBC) highlighted the need to balance AI adoption with human oversight, ensuring ethical deployment in fraud detection and financial advisory.

Marlon Sorongon (Maybank) and Lawrence Ferrer (CIS Bayad Center) emphasized continuous education for both employees and customers, advocating for increased awareness about emerging threats.

Tengkiat summed it up best:

“[Companies] should temper AI with human knowledge.”

Empowering Women in Cybersecurity and AI

A key highlight of the event was the focus on gender inclusivity in the tech space. Col. Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, spotlighted the critical role of women in cybersecurity and national security.

“Walang mahirap o mayaman sa information domain,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in combating misinformation and securing the digital landscape.

The panel featuring Mel Migrino (WiSAP President), Majorie Labindao (AltPaynet), and Arlene Romasanta (DENR) further explored how women are shaping the future of AI and GRC. Migrino pointed out that biases in AI systems must be addressed, while Labindao stressed the importance of staying updated in the ever-evolving technological field.

Cybersecurity: A Matter of Survival

Robert Sanchez Paguia of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) shared alarming insights:

“Most companies that suffer from attacks or data breaches…cannot recover anymore, they go bankrupt.”

Paguia emphasized the necessity of basic cybersecurity practices, such as using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and regularly monitoring bank statements. These measures are especially crucial in a digital ecosystem where cybercriminals are constantly innovating.

Building Trust and Compliance in a Digital Era

The conclave underscored the importance of trust and compliance between companies, regulatory bodies, and consumers. Salil Sankaran, President of Ampcus Group, set the tone in his opening remarks:

“It is not only our responsibility to grow our magnitude, but we will make sure that we do it ethically, we do it with utmost integrity, and sustainability is the goal of it.”

Ampcus Cyber Chief Officer Deep Chanda echoed this sentiment, advocating for open collaboration:

“Companies today cannot just sit in one closed room and talk about security… these events are the best place to get united to share our thoughts, to share our problems, and how to look at the next-gen tools.”

A Safer Digital Future for the Philippines

As AI technologies become integral to businesses and daily life, events like the GRC Philippines Conclave 2025 serve as crucial platforms for addressing the risks and opportunities associated with these advancements. With leaders from various sectors coming together, the Philippines is taking a proactive stance in shaping a secure, innovative, and inclusive technological future.

The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, but the spirit of collaboration and resilience demonstrated at the conclave offers hope for a safer, smarter digital Philippines.