The introduction of science concepts to learners in selected villages in this province amid the coronavirus pandemic is expected to become easier through a mobile science laboratory introduced by the local Schools Division Office (SDO) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Anita Salmorin-Gubalane, DepEd Antique Education Program Supervisor for Science, said through the mobile science laboratory or the Agham: Baul ng Kaalaman (ABAKA), learners would be able to operate laboratory instruments even if there is no face-to-face classroom instruction.

“DepEd Regional Director Ramir Uytico encouraged us to find ways on how to maximize the use of the laboratory instruments so we thought of bringing it where our learners are,” she said in an interview Thursday.

The SDO was a recipient of laboratory instruments such as the platform balance, graduated cylinder, human torso, compass, ammeter, test tube, wind vane, beaker, test tube holder, alcohol lamp from the National Science Testing and Instrumentation Center.

She said they thought of putting altogether laboratory instruments in a compartmentalized wooden baul (chest) for safekeeping.

“The wooden baul has rollers so that it would not be heavy in transporting it,” he said.

Gubalane said that since March, they were already able to bring the mobile laboratory to three barangays of Hamtic town, which have fewer coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) confirmed cases.

“Elementary learners had been gathered in the barangay halls and oriented about the use of the laboratory instruments,” she said.

She said that the learners then were full of excitement as they were able to see the real instruments and able to hold them.

She also said since other public schools in Antique that had also been given similar laboratory instruments are also being encouraged to have their own mobile laboratories for their learners. (PNA)