By Kyle Chua-Unsu (G10)

Xcholastika held its outreach project, Kabataan Lab, at Kabayanan Elementary School on January 27, 2023. Kabataan Lab featured eight different booths presented by the club’s Programs Department members about various science-related topics where students were engaged and educated in an interactive manner.

Xcholastika’s Programs Department presenting at Kabataan Lab 
(image credits to Garrick Uycongco)

As Xavier School’s service club centered around its mission to achieve equitable education, Xcholastika is committed to finding innovative ways to empower students to realize the potential of education for themselves. With this, Kabataan Lab is the Xcholastika Programs Department’s flagship initiative to provide Kabayanan Elementary School students an avenue to explore different fields of science in a digestible way.

Xcholastika Moderator Ms. Monzales and Xcholastika President Joaquin de Castro introducing Kabataan Lab 
(image credits to Garrick Uycongco)

To start off the program, Ms. Gia Monzales, Xcholastika’s moderator, delivered the opening remarks to the Kabayanan ES students to briefly introduce the program. This was then followed by Xcholastika’s president, Joaquin de Castro’s introduction of Kabataan Lab and the booth presentations that the students interacted with. 

Innovation in Sanitation Booth 
(image credits to Garrick Uycongco)

During their presentations, the Kabataan Lab booths covered topics related to chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and technology. For instance, in the chemistry-related booth Innovation in Sanitation, students created their own rubbing alcohol with the use of aloe vera and glitter. Meanwhile, in the technology-themed booth 3D For Free, students were given the opportunity to delve into the possibilities of 3D printing as a simple 3D model design came to life in front of their eyes.

Xcholastika Vice President Kyle Chua-Unsu distributing food packs to the students 
(image credits to Garrick Uygongco)

After two batches of 40 students engaged with the booth presentations, Ms. Gia Monzales thanked the students for their active participation throughout the program. Following this, Xcholastika distributed food packs to the students before they left the venue.

When asked about Kabataan Lab’s value in relation to the club’s goals, de Castro says: “This school year, Xcholastika really aims to find innovative ways to reach out while still remaining true to its core of service, and I think the project was able to do just that.” 

He also noted the project’s overwhelming success: “The reception towards the project was not short of heartwarming, and I’m personally excited with the future projects we’re exploring with the school as well as the possibilities these open for strengthening our partnerships with the larger education system.”

Processing his insights on the project, Programs Director Joseph Banzon stated: “Looking forward, the Kabataan Lab definitely opened up further avenues towards helping these students. Interacting with the students alone gave us all the chance to not only teach them but also learn from and about them. Speaking with the school’s principal, we became additionally aware of pressing issues such as a lack of literacy and numeracy. With these insights in mind, we plan to not only expand upon Kabataan Lab but also hope to generate even greater projects.” 

Programs Deputy Ivan Cua added: “I believe that the Kabataan Lab is really important because it provides an avenue for Xavierians to lend their skills to others and make an impact.”

Staying true to its vision, Xcholastika remains committed to continually working with those in need to address lapses and challenges in relation to the lack of quality education – with Kabataan Lab as a significant step to build bridges toward equitable education.