#GirlPowerinTech: ILO-organized forum proves that #WomenCanDoIT

Women face a lot of challenges in the workplace, more so if that woman is in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (or STEM).  Traditionally, STEM sectors are dominated by men but through the years, and with the advancement of technology, it is now ripe for women to be part of it not only as employees but as decision-makers, as well. 

This will be proven by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as it organizes a forum which will gather four women leaders along with a number of relevant public and private stakeholders in STEM sectors.  The forum, a few days before the International Women's Month, also marks the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in STEM.  It is organized by the ILO Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme with the support of J.P. Morgan and in cooperation with the Embassy of the United States in the Philippines and American Spaces-Philippines. 

XSTIG: Design students contribute to building thoughtful homes

Imagine this: You had an exhausting day at school and you can’t wait to get home and rest. On your way home, the weather was unpredictable and the pollution in the streets was horrible. As you enter your room, you realize that it is not as spotless as you hoped it was. You come in to the kitchen to find good food, but you find nothing on the dining table. You had a draining day and the last thing you would want to do is take care of the household chores.

As you let out a weary sigh, you realize that your home appliances can take care of all these. You see the MAB cleaner scanning your house and deploying its flying mini-robots to the areas in need of cleaning. Meanwhile, an Atonium 3D Food Printer has determined your nutritional needs and is working on a healthy meal for you. At the same time, the Breathing Wall started to purify the air while recreating an environment that will help you relive a happy memory. Imagine this futuristic scenario made possible by you.

This advanced home is the brainchild of the top three winners at last year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition.

XSTIG: DLSU’s Improved Sikat II to compete in 26th World Solar Challenge

Sikat II was launched at its send-off as the country’s official participant to the 2013 World Solar Challenge, which will be held this October at Darwin, Australia.

The team is comprised of 50 mechanical and electrical engineering students plus six faculty members from De La Salle University. Additional improvements, which took a grueling seven months to complete, were applied to Sikat II. The vehicle was subject to test runs at Basa Airbase and SCTEX to ensure optimum performance.

XSTIG: DLSU's Sikat II To Compete in Austailia for WSC

De La Salle University is back again for the World Solar Challenge this year with their newest solar car Sikat II. Made by students, faculty, and alumni, the car made major improvements from the last solar vehicle Sikat I which participated back in 2011.

With Sikat II, it is still the only and official entry of the Philippines to the World Solar Challenge in Austrailia which will go on a journey across the Australian continent. Despite challenges in building a vehicle that runs solely on Solar energy takes a lot of man power, engineering, assembly, testing, and management.