LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) introduced a learning tool called WISER App (Women Engineers as Instruments for Sustainable Engineering in Renewable Energies) to female senior high school students of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City on Oct. 9.
The WISER App supports students taking the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand by providing an interactive application where they can study topics about renewable energy.
It features quizzes to assess their learning at the end of each module, with presentations of scores and explanations for every question.
To help students prepare for college entrance examinations, the app also includes review materials for current science and mathematics subjects.
USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks highlighted the vital role of women in STEM education by lauding their unique contribution for innovative solutions in addressing global challenges.
“Your unique perspectives and ideas will lead to innovative solutions for the challenges we face today and in the future,” said Eubanks.
Meanwhile, Dr. Prima Fe Franco, MMSU officer-in-charge president, underscored the province’s impact on renewable energy, thereby claiming the title of ‘Renewable Energy Capital of the Philippines.’
Moreover, the university boasted of its achievement as the first academic institution to offer a professional science masters in renewable energy engineering in the country and in Southeast Asia.
“Together with USAID, we are committed to empowering women to address challenges in sustainable engineering and renewable energy. Women can play a vital role in this field, and I am confident that our STEM students will be inspired to pursue engineering and act as catalysts for development. Let us collaborate to increase the involvement of women in renewable energy,” said Franco.
The launch of the WISER app was also witnessed by the Department of Energy (DOE), which is also a collaborative partner of the USAID on renewable energy.
“The DOE is honored to witness this groundbreaking partnership between the province of Ilocos Norte, MMSU, and USAID, which aims to inspire and encourage young women to pursue careers in renewable energy and engineering. This collaboration is both timely and critical as the world intensifies its push toward decarbonization and clean energy,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, represented by Mary Grace Gabis-Reyes.
Lynx Marvia Orig, a Grade 12 STEM student, shared her excitement in using the educational app, stating, “The WISER app will be a key tool in helping me achieve my goal of becoming a successful woman engineer.”
The app is available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store. (AMB/MJTAB/KLT-OJT PIA Ilocos Norte)
