OPERATION AQUILA: ACTIVATED!

By: Rommel Bartolome

PSYSC’s National Youth Science, Technology and Environment Summer Camp (NYSTESC) also known as CAMP was held last April 1-4, 2012 at the Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City. The theme, “Operation Aquila: Illuminating the Code, Linking the Chains, Decrypting the Patterns”, signifies the subtopics to be explored—optics, material science and complex systems. The theme also includes the ‘Aquila’—the ancient artefact that needs to be deciphered during the whole Operation. The CAMP, an annual PSYSC event for high school students, is filled with lectures and workshops that will complement and supplement formal science education in the Philippines. PSYSC events such as this are in line with its main thrust—promoting the public understanding of science technology and the environment (PUSTE). Not only promoting PUSTE, this event also becomes an avenue for camaraderie among science club members all over the Philippines.

After more than half a decade, with CAMP 2006 being the last CAMP to be held in Mindanao, the Mindanao-camp-venue drought has ended. And since Mindanao has the most number of PSYSC affiliates in the country, it is no surprise that CAMP 2012 holds the record of being the biggest camp. With the record-breaking number of participants—a total of 1,254 affiliates from all over the Philippines, CAMP 2012 is truly one of a kind.

The topic for CAMP 2012 is one of the most basic science—Physics. Although regarded as one of the hardest science subject, PSYSC surely gave a new take on Physics phenomenon such as interference, magic materials and the Brazilian nut effect. Through workshops and interactive lectures, high school students are given new light on how things work and interact. The subtopics include optics, material science and complex systems—very promising areas of physics research in the Philippines.

Aside from Physics, the participants were also exposed to theatre and performance arts. The opening night marked the start of CAMP 2012. Several ECAT performers were dressed as soldiers and agents—some were even doing tumbles and summersaults! The night marked the over-all ‘agent-soldier’ feel of the whole CAMP. Of course, the show of talents were not limited to ECATs but to participants as well. During the Entertainment Night on the 3rd day dubbed as “Codes in the Dark”, seven schools competed through a black light performance. The audiences’ wows showed how magical the performances were.  The performance of the Brain and Heart of a Christian Educational Institution Inc. which foretells how wonderful the world is, reigned on top.

After four days of adventures, newly found friends, new knowledge in Physics; four days of unforgettable experiences, “Operation Aquila” has ended. While playing the immortal songs “At the beginning” and “We’ll never say goodbye”, each and every one on that CAMP knows how memorable the experience is. With tears on the faces of the both the participants and the organizers during the closing night, it is evident that CAMP 2012 truly made a mark in our hearts. And as the CAMP lexicon says, most we’re not ready to say, Do Svidanya!