In collaboration with the Philippine Science High School System and with the support of the Department of Science and Technology, the University of the Philippines System’s Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is kicking off its first Genomics Junior Camp during the 4th quarter of this year.
The Philippine Genome Center is inviting Grade 11 students from all campuses of the Philippine Science High School System to join the Genomics Junior Camp slated on October 22-26 and November 26-30, 2018. The Genomics Junior Camp is a 5-day live-in training program in genomics designed to expose high school students to a series of theoretical lectures, laboratory experiments, and hands-on Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatics. Forty (40) Grade 11 students will form the pioneering batch of students who will be trained on the rudiments of genomics and bioinformatics complemented with hands-on application for a more experiential learning.
Who are qualified?
For this year, the Genomics Junior Camp will train Grade 11 students from the Philippine Science High School campuses who demonstrate an innate interest in science and plan to pursue a degree in the sciences.
What are the requirements?
An endorsement letter/written recommendation from the school’s respective STEM/SIP Coordinator confirming the applicant’s strong foundation in science subjects and working knowledge in at least one (1) programming language.
Mechanics
- Interested Applicants must submit their application before September 7, 2018 addressed to PSHS Coordinator – JESSAMYN MARIE O. YAZON, Ph.D. at joyazon.pshs@gmail.com with email subject: Genomics Junior Camp 2018.
- Accepted applicants from Luzon will be trained on October 22-26 while accepted applicants from Visayas and Mindanao will be trained on November 26-30, 2018.
About Genomics Junior Camp
In line with PGC’s goal to raise a critical mass of future genomics experts, this 5-day live-in training program is set to run every year to provide an opportunity for forty (40) Grade 11 students to be immersed in a series of lectures, laboratory experiments in genomics, and hands-on computer exercises in bioinformatics.
The first three (3) days of the program will introduce participants to the fundamentals of genomics through lectures and laboratory exercises particularly on the basic principles behind DNA library preparation and Next Generation Sequencing. The final two days will introduce participants on Bioinformatics techniques with focus on the core concepts underlying Genome Assembly and Annotation with implementation of a Bioinformatics workflow of different Linux programs. Behind all the technicalities, the program aims to inspire and instill a mindset of scientific endeavors by pursuing careers in science and technology.
Forty (40) aspiring Grade 11 students from the Philippine Science High School System will be trained by resource persons and facilitators at PGC’s DNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core Facilities – both of which received funding support through the DOST’s Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Program. Training fee, meals, accommodation and transportation expenses of the students will be covered by the Department of Science and Technology.
