Empowering innovators in the making

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

We’ve all heard it. It’s that classic question you get asked when you’re a kid. Back then, your answer was probably simple: a doctor, a pilot, a scientist. It’s a perfectly straightforward answer. As we get older, our dreams become clearer. What once felt like an overwhelming goal gradually takes form, becoming more grounded as we navigate the experiences that shape us. 

Think back to the times you successfully accomplished your inventions in school. Maybe it was when you finally nailed that science recycling project, or when you figured out how to make a robot move. It’s small achievements like these that build up and make our aspirations feel attainable. 

Oftentimes, all the youth needs are support and inspiration. With initiatives like the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week, Filipino innovators get to experience the latest developments in creating sustainable communities through new technologies. 

 

DOST’s Role in Shaping the Innovators of Tomorrow 

This year, DOST brings the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (2025 NSTW) to “Sunshine City,” Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. From November 18 to 21, this four-day celebration gathers participating state universities and colleges, government agencies, and non-government organizations, to showcase the latest technologies geared towards the subtheme, “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities.”

This annual event highlights breakthrough ideas involving Smart and Sustainable Agriculture, Smart Governance and Human Resources, Revolutionizing Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) towards Industry 4.0, and many more. 

There will also be forums tackling the latest scientific discoveries and developments, which include Robotics R&D and Commercialization: Sustainability and Economic Growth in Industry 4.0 Era, From Hazards to Resilience: Translating Hazard Knowledge into Risk-Informed Action, and The Future of Communities: Learning from Neighbors in Asia. 

Bringing Innovation to Life 

As part of DOST’s mission to make innovation accessible, they encourage active participation in events that showcase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts in creative ways. These include the launch of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center in Ilocos Norte, which processes natural textile fibers like banana, abaca, and bamboo; the RoboTECH Cup, where participants design and program their own robots; and the e-Games Development Competition, which challenges young creators to develop educational and socially relevant games. 

Be Part of the Future of Science 

By connecting the next generation of scientists, students, and other stakeholders with real-world challenges, DOST is helping build a future that’s technologically advanced and socially responsible. 

As the years go by, the question we once faced in the classroom evolves with us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answer isn’t just written on the whiteboard, but in the paths we choose to take – how we use technology to make the impossible, possible. 

 

The journey from dreamer to innovator is long, but with the right support from initiatives like DOST’s 2025 NSTW, the future is ready to be shaped by those who dare to imagine the extraordinary. 

For more details about the event and to explore the full list of activities, visit the official NSTW Facebook Page and NSTW website.