Manila Science High School (or simply MaSci to MaScians) is the pilot science high school in Manila, Philippines. It is located in Taft Avenue corner Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila, and established on October 1, 1963.

History

Former President of the Philippines Ramon Magsaysay was the first to envision a science high school in his 1956 State of the Nation address, where he underscored “the great need of stepping up the development of fundamental and applied research in science and technology which has long been neglected.”

Taking action, the Philippine Congress passed the Republic Act 1606 creating the National Science Development Board to work with the Science Foundation of the Philippines in advancing scientific and technological research. This was closely followed by Republic Act 2067, known as the Science Act of 1958 which proposed to integrate, coordinate, and intensify scientific and technological research and development to foster invention.

In conjunction, the Department of Education implemented Republic Act 1606 by issuing Department Orders 1 and 5, series of 1958, for the launching of Science Talent Research.

November 25, 1959 marked the evolution of the first pilot science high school in Manila. Comprising 32 students screened through a rigid, competitive examination, this nucleus of a science high school had its humble beginnings in a single-storey building in Intramuros.

On October 1, 1963, the Manila Science High School was officially born by virtue of Municipal Resolution 426 signed by Mayor Antonio J. Villegas. Credit for the school's early success goes to the Manila Science High School Principal Augusto Alzona – the "Father of Manila Science High School". Modeled after the Bronx High School of Science in New York, the special science curriculum is designed to meet the needs of scholars gifted in science and mathematics. However, a wealth of opportunities, training, and experiences in varied fields other than academic is generated for the well-rounded development of students.

After five years in Intramuros, the Manila Science High School moved to its present site in 1966 with its first principal, Mr. Honesto Valdez (1963-1977). By 1977, Phase I of the Main Building was completed while the construction of Phase II was ongoing.

In September 1977, Mrs. Evelina P. Barotilla (1977-1988), the second principal, saw the completion of the Manila Science High School Complex and the renovation of the Bordner Building. The Home Economics Building was built in 1980. The whole construction project was financed by the Special Education Fund under the chairmanship of Dr. Josefina Navarro, Superintendent of City Schools, Manila.

The construction of the Php 7.5 million Technology Creativity Laboratory began in 1998 during the reign of Mrs. Daisy H. Banta, (1988-2000), third principal. The project was made possible by the Special Education Fund through the joint efforts of Mayors Gemiliano Lopez and Alfredo Lim, together with DECS-Manila Superintendent, Dr. Erlinda G. Lolarga.

The new millennium ushered in the arrival of Mrs. Susan A. Yano, fourth principal, the completion of the Antonio Maceda Building and the revival of the Manila Science High School Alumni Association. Mrs. Susan A. Yano opted for an early retirement. Ms. Edna P. Parcon, Math Department Head III, was then assigned Officer-in-Charge from July 18, 2002 to January 13, 2003, together with Ms. Betty de la Cruz, Science Supervisor, assigned Supervisor-in-Charge from October 13, 2002 to January 13, 2003.

The Manila Science High School is currently under the leadership of a new principal, Mrs. Salud S Sabado.

Curriculum

The school is the first to offer a high school curriculum that is focused on science, technology, and mathematics.

.	YEAR I	YEAR II	YEAR III	YEAR IV
SCIENCE	General Science	Biology	Basic Chemistry	Introductory College Physics
MATHEMATICS	Elementary Algebra	Geometry	Advanced Algebra	Analytic Geometry & Introductory Calculus
ENGLISH	Grammar & Philippine Literature	Grammar & Afro- Asian Literature	Grammar & American Literature	Grammar & World Literature
FILIPINO	Pag-unawa/Balarila/Ibong Adarna	Balarila/Pang-unawa/Florante At Laura	Panitikang Pilipino	Panitikang Asyano
SOCIAL STUDIES	Philippine History and Government	Asian History	World History	Economics
MAPEH	Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health 1	Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health 2	Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health 3	Music, Physical Education, Health & Citizenship Advancement Training
TECHNOLOGY & HOME ECONOMICS/LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION	Drafting and Livelihood Education OR Entrepreneurship	Drafting and Livelihood Education OR Retail Merchandising	Culinary Arts OR Related Crafts OR Electronics and Drafting OR Journalism	Culinary Arts OR Electronics OR Journalism
COMPUTER SCIENCE	Basic Computer Literacy/Windows	HTML & Frontpage	Basic C++	C++ & Java
Values Education	Values Education I	Values Education II
ELECTIVES	Earth Science		Biotechnology & Research	Advanced Chemistry & Research
	Values Education	Theoretic Research	Physics	Robotics & Physics Enrichment
	Speech and Theater Arts		Technical Writing	Humanities
	Consumer Math	Intermediate Algebra	Trigonometry	Finite Mathematics

Computer science subjects are offered to all year levels. Research is given during the second, third and fourth year levels. General Science is studied during the first year, while biology is tackled during second year. Physics is taken up during the second, third and fourth years. Chemistry is studied during the second, third and fourth years. Algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, and analytic geometry are studied during the first, second, third, and fourth years, respectively. As part of requirements for third and fourth-year research courses, students have to produce research papers and project proposals, which they have the option to submit to local science fairs .. which then goes international for abroad science fairs. The school has electives (add-on subjects) that gives emphasis on science, English and math subjects. The school also has vocational subjects in their TLE class. There are also language subjects such as Nihonggo and French.

Location

The school is also easily accessible through public transportation through the Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT), where the school is close to the United Nations Avenue Station, just a few meters away from the school campus. It is also located in front of the Supreme Court and near Robinson's Place Manila, which is also along Padre Faura Street.

Extracurriculars

Although the curriculum is more grounded in the sciences than other high schools in Manila, the school offers a wide variety of activities that would help develop students into future ethical and socially-responsive scientists. The Supreme Student Government was revived back in 2003 to help foster the leadership skills of students. Course-specific student organizations like the Knights of Science that has eight sub-organizations: Astronomy Club, Yes-O Club, Survivors Club, Atomos (Chemistry Club), SRS (Research Club), PION (Physics Infusion Overload Network), Techno Club and Robotics Club. All mentioned are under the Science department. Other organizations are the English club, The Math Club (and its sub-organization the Computer Society, or ComSoc), the UNESCO club under the Social Studies department, and the Filipino club (also known as the "Gabay ng Wika"), and Electricity and Electronics Society (EES) under the Practical Arts are also available to develop their proficiency on specific courses. There are also activity-centered student organizations like the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Manila Science High School Chorale and. The school is also active in organizations such as Citizen's Drug Watch Foundation, YMCA and YWCA club.

Department Heads

Department Head	Department
Ms. Vicky Santos	English Department
Mrs. Precilinda P. Arellano	Technology Education Department
Mrs. Julieta U. Fajardo	Social Studies Department
Mrs. Corazon Felicerta	Science Department
Ms. Edna Parcon	Mathematics Department
Ms. Amelia Sayat	Home Economics Department
Mrs. Josephine Emma Reyes	Filipino Department
Mrs. Jocelyn Carlos (OIC)	Mapeh Department

Awit ng Mataas na Paaralang Pang-Agham ng Maynila

Batis ng diwa, ginto't dalisay

Kanlungan ng Karunungan

Sa agham ay tampok na tunay

Pangalan mong mutya at mahal

Sikapin natin at pagyamanin

Aral niya'y ating sundin

Sa bawat sulok ng bayan natin

Kanyang bandila ay dalhin

(Ulitin Lahat)

Notable MSHS Alumni

• Analisa Balares, (Batch 1992) Founder and CEO, WomensphereTM; Global Marketing Manager for Microsoft's blogging/social networking service
• Mary Kriselle Margaret Icamina, (Batch 1998) Professor, DOST Research Awardee
• Marizel Sarangelo a.k.a. Tuesday Vargas (Batch 1997), a TV comedienne and recording artist.
• Beethoven Bunagan a.k.a. Michael V. (Batch 1986), comedian, recording artist and TV show host of GMA Network.
• Alvin Patrimonio (Batch 1983), is a four-time Most Valuable Player of the Philippine Basketball Association.
• Von Glenn Hernandez (Batch 1983), is an internationally renowned environmental activist; 2003 Goldman Environmental Prize recipient representing Asia.
• Rigoberto C. Advincula (Batch 1983), head of the Advincula Research Group, University of Houston; 2003 Arthur Doolittle Award recipient.
• Randy Sacdalan (Batch 1982), is a sports commentator and dean of student affairs of Lyceum of the Philippines.
• Cristeta Comerford (Batch 1980), culinary artist and currently the chief cook for the White House.
• Jose Fadul (Batch 1978), a polymath: artist, writer, science education specialist, educational psychologist; overcame his stuttering to become a university professor.
• Marissa Toledo-Peterson (Batch 1978 Valedictorian), Vice-President of Sun Microsystems.
• Arnold Guloy (Batch 1977), world-class chemistry professor and materials chemist.
• Jose A. Magpantay (Batch 1976), professor in physics at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Physics and a world-class physicist.

References

External links