HOW DOES SCIENCE PROMOTES PEACE

WEEK 5:

Here is my own opinion on how does science promotes peace.I considered it as another learning because I was able to think what are the significances of science aside from the fact that everything we do is science.

Science permeates our lives and informs our actions. Physics, for example, teaches us how mirrors work, how glasses can aid one's vision and how heat is treated by various household materials (plates and utensils). Chemistry discusses the principles of matter, like atoms, molecules and compounds. It discusses the countless different substances that can arise from the minutest variations within compounds. These atoms, molecules and compounds make up the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, the medicines we take when we are sick. Some we can't possibly live without.

Biology, the study of life, teaches us why we are the way we are, why we need what we need to survive, how all living things are categorized, when we all came from. These, and countless other questions and answers are all related to science. Going deeper into the concept of science and its importance, we can understand why it is essential for us to know science. Why? It’s because anyone could be a scientist more than that of the past’s scientists.

Similarly, science is also important in the international job market. The greater the advances in scientific technology, the greater the demand for workers sufficiently educated in these particular areas. Excellence in the sciences can open many doors, otherwise closed, for students. These skills can get you a job almost anywhere in the world, and with the growing concerns about finding jobs, it certainly helps to have so many options available to you. From engineering to dentistry, or from cancer research to maintaining a national park, a large percentage of the jobs today require background in science.

There is another important aspect of science that I have saved for last. Science is fun. Fun in many ways. Learning is always fun but it's especially rewarding when it has something to do with the things going on around you. There is a satisfaction that comes from learning about these often complex matters that goes far beyond merely getting a good grade. It helps you to understand the world around you and to appreciate its complexities. It teaches you that we can't possibly understand everything about the world ever, but we go on trying anyway, engaging in the never- ending search for truths... and why? We do this because science is fun and exciting. The more we learn, the more we want to learn, the more we feel ourselves pushed towards the answers and towards further questions, towards the future…

However, while we continue to marvel at new scientific discoveries and enjoy the benefits of innovative technological developments grounded upon scientific advances, there is a growing unease about science and mounting concern about its adverse consequences. In some quarters, these misgivings have turned into distrust and opposition, reactions which are worrying because they may erode the foundations of public support for science. That support, which is inseparable from public confidence in science and scientists, can no longer be taken for. Today, therefore, the case for science needs to be re-made, in terms that are convincing to a general public less and less deferential towards the pure intentions of scientists or their greater wisdom.

While science is recognized as contributing to some of the problems and looming crises facing our world, this does not mean that viable solutions can leave science out of account. The design of realistic solutions must be undertaken with science, not against it. We need the contribution of science, for example, to analyze the extent to which human activities are responsible for climate change, environmental degradation and other worrying phenomena. And it is scientists and engineers who will help us to prepare for tomorrow's complex problems.

Science must be mobilized globally to address the enormous problems related to public health, agricultural productivity, environmental degradation and poverty. This will require addressing of very real disparity between the developed and developing countries when it comes to producing scientific knowledge and using this knowledge for social and economic benefit. Closing this knowledge gap will require finding solutions to the unceasing exodus of scientific brainpower to the rich countries of the world.

Closing the scientific knowledge gap also requires partnerships between scientists, institutions and governments. Science is a shared enterprise. The pace of scientific progress and the interrelations between global problems require teamwork and networking. Consequently, national and international partnership and collaboration between scientific institutions, academia, NGOs and other sectors and disciplines are essential.

Without global science, there can be no sustainable development; without sustainable development, there can be no global peace.

BOOSTING MY CONFIDENCE

WEEK 4:

For me, this week is not the week for academics nor technical skills rather a week for preparation and confidence. Since I am one of the tour guides, it was really shaking dealing with the students of Ateneo de Manila. Although the students were just grade 7, I still can’t help myself but to worry and get nervous, perhaps because of the name of their school. But remembering that I am one of the salesmen of this academy, I should act as a true salesman as if I am bargaining with them through the promising future this academy can offer.

At first, my knees were shaking since it was my first time handling students coming from a prestigious school. I told myself that this is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do not only for me but for the academy as well. When I am explaining everything, I didn’t feel anything except fun. It was really a fun! I felt that “my students” were comfortable with me because whenever I see their faces, I am sure that they are enjoying. Above all, they always ask questions about the academy and the profession I chose. After the tour, I found it ordinary unlike what I expected to be.

They are good speakers but I was able to handle them. From this experience, I realized that trusting oneself is the most important tool on how to overcome one’s fear. With this, I knew now that work is not really as it is; as long as I am enjoying on what I am doing, confidence will be there and the essence of work is at hand.

WEEK 3:

The third week is a week of prevention for me. I learned much from Chiefmate Abraham Togonon about the different lifesaving appliance, types of fire extinguishers and the different routes that will be taken in case a man fell overboard. He told us about the lifeboat, liferaft and other materials that are very useful in case of survival. From this, I learned that during survival, since there are about thirty persons in a liferaft, drinking of water is limited and collecting rain is needed. When there is fire, it is not proper to use any type of fire extinguisher you like because every fire extinguisher is designed based on the substances it contained. Having a proper knowledge on using it is a great help, but using it without any background could make the problem more complicated.

Another important lesson I learned from BST (basic safety training) is about the different routes that will be taken in case of “man overboard.” These routes include the Single turn, Williamson turn (which is the most common turn used) and the Scharnov turn. I learned that the main objective on having a turn is to make the propeller away from the person who fell overboard.

I thus realized the importance of brotherhood in ship; that although I came from a different place, I should make myself united with others. But the most significant lesson I learned is prevention rather than curing it at the end. Since life at sea is dangerous, working properly and dedicating your whole self to your profession are much required. The profession that I chose is not just an ordinary work for it takes a lot of preparations, knowledge and attitude and all of these requirements are now my primary aim.

WEEK 2:

The second semester’s second week made me aware of what should be the attitude of an NTMA cadet towards academic and vocational matters; that I, as a part of this academy, should be manifesting a scientist-like attitude.

And what is a scientist-like attitude? It is an attitude that is basically after the answer on one’s mind out of curiosity. Our English instructor, Mr. Matthew Nepomuceno, told us about what research is. I thus learned that research involves techniques and systematized ways of thinking like that of the scientific method. Before, my knowledge about researching is limited. All I knew about research was finding solution to problems but now, I see clearly that research is being taken to preserve, improve, discover, provide and acquire every detail of man’s life. I realized that its scope is vast and unlimited unless answers were found.

I learned much about research especially its purposes, characteristics, parts, guidelines and factors in creating a research. Following all of these will yield to a more profitable and good research. When we had our quiz, I am very satisfied with my score because I really appreciate my new learning.

But the most important value I learned from this subject is the attitude on what research can give. And since it uses scientific method, I am pretty sure that there shall exist scientific attitudes like patience, open-mindedness, curiosity, etc.I realized then that if only I can make a good research, then definitely I will develop these scientific attitudes that would help me to become more mature, responsible and life-acquainted man.

HEARTS AND MINDS

     The parts of our body are basically made for us to understand their importance. We may be wondering why is it that our hands, feet, eyes, nose and other parts of our body have their own place. Furthermore, we may ask a question specifically with regards to the position of our minds and hearts. Why is it that God preferred to put our minds beyond our hearts?

     Basically, people are often known to be weak especially when it comes to emotions and mostly self-centered during decision making. Our minds and hearts were not created to choose what is right and wrong but to balance our personality through consulting from each other. Our minds might tell us not to sacrifice our own life for the sake of other people but our hearts might acquaint us to help others. With this case, we can see how these two fundamental parts functions.
     Have we even asked ourselves why is it that our hands and feet are placed nearer with our hearts than our minds? It is to remind us that when anger and desire to hurt others conquered us, our hearts take its rationale. It enables us to hide our true feelings making us avoid any act that is not based on brotherhood. With this, our hearts control what is being dictated by our minds. For example, our minds might tell us to punch or kick a certain person but in contrary, our hearts would be saying to forgive and forget. This will only prove that balancing takes place.
     But we should remember that this is not always the case. The decision primarily depends on the person himself. His inner value or his knowledge on a certain thing would affect his decisions making him different from others. If that person had already developed the goodness of his inner self before then, his heart would always tell him to do what he know is true.
     Remember then what our characteristic is by believing in this passage that goes, “think first before we act.”