KodeGo bridges STEM gender-employment gap, opens new opportunities for women in tech

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KodeGo, the innovative online tech boot camp by Globe's 917Ventures, is charting a new course for women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing opportunities that aim to address gender disparity in local employment.

The Philippines currently exhibits a 22% gender-based disparity in the STEM workforce, the largest in Southeast Asia, according to a study by professional networking platform LinkedIn. Although women make up 58.8% of employees in non-STEM fields, this figure dramatically falls to a mere 36.3% within the STEM sectors.

KodeGo's mission to democratize education for all is proving to be instrumental in this context, equalizing opportunities for women in these rapidly evolving and highly sought-after disciplines.

The online boot camp has a curriculum patterned after in-demand tech skills and soft skills sought by companies. Short-term tech-related courses include Full-Stack Web Development, UX Design, and WordPress Development.

KodeGo has seen an increasing number of women enrolling in its programs, with the number rising as

KodeGo increased the number of boot camps it offers. Currently, women make up 26% of KodeGo’s student population, with a total of 572 as of June 2023– a testament to increased female interest in traditionally male-dominated fields because of KodeGo’s dedication to offering accessible, gender-neutral education.

"KodeGo is deeply committed to addressing the glaring STEM gender-employment gaps in the country," said Cristina Gervasio, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at KodeGo. "By providing quality training, we aim to empower Filipinos, no matter what their gender may be so that they could be more competitive in the IT industry. We envision a future where the tech world sees equal representation of genders, fostering innovation, diversity, and resilience."

Recognizing that the most significant drop in female representation in the STEM workforce occurs between graduation and employment, KodeGo is intensifying efforts to provide a seamless transition for its graduates. By partnering with top-tier companies, KodeGo ensures graduates receive first-rate education and gain hands-on experience in real-world projects, further cementing their place in the STEM workforce.

As an initiative under 917Ventures, KodeGo signifies the Globe Group's ongoing commitment to improving the caliber of Filipino software engineers and promoting gender equality in the tech sector.

For more information about KodeGo and 917Ventures and how they are empowering women in the STEM fields, please visit www.kodego.ph and www.917ventures.com.

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About KodeGo

KodeGo is a study now, pay later tech school offering boot camps on different IT courses to equip beginners, upskillers, and career shifters with critical and highly in-demand skills while offering company-matching support to jumpstart and progress their IT career. KodeGo is a portfolio company under Globe’s corporate venture builder, 917Ventures.

Galileo and Add-Venture Learning presents “Awesome Singapore Math Add-Ventures”

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Why Is Math so important for kids and all to learn?

It is next to impossible to live an independent life without basic math skills. Children begin to learn about money in the early elementary grades. Math skills taught in early childhood education are designed to provide the foundation children need to succeed in elementary school and beyond.

We must encourage everyone, kids and all to excel in this area to increase functioning and opportunities in life and career as a result.

Why is Singapore Math popular among schools around the world?

The roots of this homegrown approach to Math started from a country with a population that struggled with Mathematics. Like most developing countries, they depended on textbooks and curriculum from foreign publishers. Recognizing the important role of Math education in shaping the citizens’ global proficiency, the Ministers of Education decided to take charge of the country's learning roadmap and developed an approach never before used in the world. 

Enter Singapore Math, a teaching method that places emphasis on mathematical fluency through problem-solving without the need for rote learning and memorization. Fewer topics are introduced per level but discussed in greater detail, allowing deeper understanding and creating a strong foundation for higher math learning.

This change in direction proved effective as the country reaped its benefits. Since 1995, Singapore has consistently ranked first (or in the top three) in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The tables suddenly turned and Singapore Math became the resource and standard of effective approaches to learning Math. Now, over 25 countries including USA, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, and Israel (including the Philippines) have incorporated Singapore Math into their textbooks

As one of the pioneers in advancement in learning, Galileo Enrichment Learning Program was the first to introduce Singapore Math as an after-school program and the first to hold Singapore Math Festivals in the Philippines. The Galileo Singapore Math Program aims to enhance the Math skills of students aged 6-12 through the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) Approach. This learning strategy allows the student to represent math concepts first through actual and concrete objects, then reinforced with a visual method called bar modeling, before finally progressing to mental solving techniques.

To strengthen its Singapore Math Program, Galileo has partnered with Add-Venture Learning, a publishing and training company headquartered in Singapore. Add-Venture Learning specializes in making Singapore Math an enjoyable experience for students through their game packages, apps, magazines, and training. Behind their products are prominent figures in the world of Singapore Math and are recognized for their contribution in shaping and training Singapore teachers of the Ministry of Education.

The two educational think tanks have shared teaching and learning philosophies which complement their approach to making learning fun and meaningful through play. Both Galileo and Add-Venture believe that a child learns best by enjoying what is taught. Both companies employ game-play elements and a variety of activities to bring amusement, wonder, and knowledge in every engagement of any child.

To introduce the partnership, Galileo and Add-Venture Learning held a special event entitled “Awesome Singapore Math Add-Ventures.” 

The event discussed the hows and whys of Singapore Math by demonstrating how to unlock sample Math problems. The discussion was handled by Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, one of the leading minds in Math and an advocate of Singapore Math. She was joined by Scott L. Chua, who shared his experiences of transitioning into a Singapore Math program and how it helped shape his Math skills.

For more details on the Singapore Math Program and the Add-Venture Learning materials, contact the Head Office at 845-1234 or select centers: Galileo Legaspi, Makati City (810-8506); Galileo Better Living, Parañaque (846-5398, 0998-793-9363); Galileo Malabon (362-3154); Galileo Parada, Valenzuela (291-1136, 0948-365-2970); Galileo Sta. Rosa, Laguna (502-7023, 0988 554 8101); and Galileo Bacolod (433-4713, 0917-801-0338).

Parents See Brighter Future For Their Kids With S.A.M.

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Parents are known to be a child’s first educators. Hence, it is only natural for them to only want the best for their kids. With the holistic development and character building promise of Seriously Addictive Math (S.A.M.), it is no doubt that it is fast becoming a parent’s preference in supplementing their kids’ capability in math. 

Through S.A.M.’s passion in inculcating the right attitudes like love for learning and discovery, discipline, and solving complex word problems, moms Sophia Ann Casipit and Virgilia Cañete narrated how S.A.M. satisfied their meticulous standards when it comes to choosing a learning center that will help their child overcome their math problems.

Before enrolling her 6 year old son in S.A.M., Casipit explained that her child feared mathematics and found it boring. “Seth didn’t want to think and analyse the questions whenever he had assignments and exams in school. But when I enrolled him in S.A.M., I was so happy because he told me that math was fun to learn. He also got so excited every time he would go to S.A.M.” She stressed that her son’s critical thinking and word problem analysis improved. Her son can now add and subtract faster. What’s more, he now loves multiplication, a topic which he totally hated in his third term in school.”

But S.A.M.’s efficiency is not just targeted towards honing a child’s mathematical capabilities. It is also adept in improving a child’s holistic development and character. This fact is also evident in Canete’s 10 year old son Gab who used to struggle in math.

Canete who enrolled her son in other tutorial centers before recounted: “Before S.A.M., I sent my son to a basic tutorial center which also taught Singapore math. But my son’s grade in math got worse so I stopped him from attending the sessions altogether. But when I transferred Gab to S.A.M., I saw a very big improvement with his math subject. I can now see that he is not struggling so much in answering his lessons especially in problem solving”. 

On S.A.M.’s learning methods, Casipit said “I love the worksheets on how colorful and illustrated it is. I also like the way it teaches Seth on how to analyze and comprehend the questions rather than just learning math thru repetition”.

On the other hand, Canete also observed that Gab also improved on his reading and problem analysis skills. She proudly added that Gab is now focusing on his lessons more. 

With the benefits her son is reaping under S.A.M., Canete said she would recommend S.A.M. to other parents whose kids are also encountering problems with math and their schoolwork, in general. Casipit, meanwhile, thanked S.A.M. for teaching her son, not just math, but also critical thinking and love for independence learning. 

She exclaimed: “I am thankful to S.A.M. for being my partner in teaching my son to look at math being my in a different perspective”.

With S.A.M.’s well-polished and well-researched educational framework plus well-trained tutors, parents who put their trust in S.A.M. can be assured that their children are not just being trained to be masterful in math but also to be achievers, in whatever path they take in the future.

To know more about S.A.M., you may visit their website at http://www.seriouslyaddictivemaths.com.ph 

www.seriouslyaddictivemaths.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/SAM.SingaporeMath.Philippines

 or call 0977-8239910 | (02) 964 9759.

ABOUT S.A.M.:

Seriously Addictive Mathematics is an authentic Singapore math enrichment program, created and originated from Singapore. S.A.M’s award winning curriculum is modelled after the world-renowned Singapore Mathematics syllabus and pedagogy. Beyond traditional rote learning, drill and practice, we develop thinking and problem-solving skills such as Critical Thinking, Heuristics, Logical Reasoning, Metacognition, Concept Understanding, Modelling Techniques and Situational Word Problems. We have designed a Comprehensive Worksheets Program with over 30,000 pages of daily worksheets to compliment the Classroom experience. Our worksheets are designed to be self-learning and are ‘stepped up’ in terms of difficulty. These features make S.A.M worksheets very encouraging to students and hone their ability for self-learning.

Sharp Calculators launched the search for Ten Outstanding Young Mathematicians

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‪The Search for Ten Outstanding Young Mathematicians has been launched recently and is open to all public and private high school students in the National Capitol Region. The Sharp TOYM has been announced at the media launched held at the Makati Shangrila Hotel last Friday, September 12, 2014, hosted by Atom Araullo. 

The importance of mathematics has never been greater than now and for the foreseeable future and is crucial for a wide array of analytical, technological, scientific, and economic applications. 

The search for Ten Outstanding Young Mathematicians seeks to promote the development of science culture among young Filipinos by recognizing their accomplishment in the field of mathematics and inspire more students to be better at Math. 

Six years ago, Sharp Calculators through Collins International Trading Corporation launched the SHARP Minds Program to help uplift the standard of education in the Philippines particularly in teaching Math subjects.

Partnering with two of the biggest Mathematics organizations in the country, Mathematics Trainers Guild, Philippines (MTG) and Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP), the SHARP Minds Program sponsored Mathematics activities and programs in member schools with the goal of recognizing the sharpest math minds and transforming the pedagogy of mathematics teaching in the Philippines.

This year, Sharp Calculators furthers its advocacy by partnering with more educational institutions such as the Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR), Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines (MTG), Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), Philippine Council of Mathematics Educators, Inc. (MathTEd) as it launches the very first search for the TEN OUSTANDING YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS (TOYM) from National Capital Region.

“With TOYM Awards, Sharp Calculators aims to foster the academic excellence of the Filipino Youth in Math as we recognize their extraordinary math skills to motivate them further in becoming the future think tanks of this country. We also hope to raise the status of mathematics in society -- to stimulate the interest of the students, the academic and the general public to the significance of Math in the development of the society,” said Collins International Trading Corporation’s Assistant Vice President Mr. Lucero Ong.

“Notable Filipino mathematicians such as Raymundo Favila, Casimiro del Rosario, Gregorio Y. Zara, Amador Muriel, Tito A. Mijares and Jose A. Marasigan have all been recognized for their contributions to diverse fields of physics, astronomy, biophysics and biotechnology. Who knows maybe the next great Mathematician would be among our TOYM awardees,” Mr. Ong added.

The search is open to all public and private high school students in the National Capital Region who have completed at least two years of high school. They must be Filipino citizens, either naturalized or born. The nominee must be among the Top 3 students in math as certified by the school principal and the award will be based primarily on the nominee’s performance on national and international competitions.

A recommendation from School principal / Mathematics head with supporting documents will be the basis of judging. For students who are chosen to the top 20, each involvement on activities included in the recommendation of the principal/math head or other recognized authority will be reviewed and assessed by judges/co-presenters. The said recommendations will be the basis of the judges’ questions for the panel interview. 

The Deliberation/ Final interview of finalist will be conducted by representatives from Department of Education NCR, DOST-SEI, MTG Philippines, MSP, MathTed

The TOYM awardees will be the first batch of Sharp Calculators’ Youth Ambassadors that will inspire and encourage the Filipino youth to strive and achieve academic excellence through school tours and mathematics symposiums. They will be receiving plaque of excellence, cash prizes and gifts from Sharp Calculators and sponsors.

The deadline for nominations will be on January 5, 2015, with the awarding ceremonies scheduled on February 2015.

Nomination kits are now available at selected National Book Store Branches in National Capital Region or can be downloaded through www.sharpminds.ph For more information please contact Sharp Calculators at 681-6161/646-2867 and look for Ms. Mary Rose Rocha or Ms. Clara Camille Ocampo.

NOMINATION MECHANICS:

1.     Open to all public and private high school students in the National Capital Region who have   completed at least two years of high school. They must be Filipino citizen either naturalized     or born.

2.      Nominee must be among the Top 3 students in math as certified by the school principal.

3.  The award will be based primarily on the nominee’s performance on national and     international competition. These competitions must be recognized by the Department of   Education or Department of Science and Technology.

4.     Presentations or publications of original work in mathematics are desirable.

5.   Students who contribute to the promotion of Mathematics and show leadership skills are desirable. Good moral character will be considered

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

CRITERIA	PERCENT
Performance in Mathematics Competition	75%
Research and Publications in Mathematics	10%
Leadership and Promotion of Mathematics	15%
TOTAL	100%

a.   Performance in Mathematics Competitions 75%

Nominee’s performance on international, national and regional mathematics competitions that are recognized by the Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology.

b.   Research and Publications in Mathematics 10%

c.   Leadership and Involvement in Promotion of Mathematics

A recommendation from School principal / Mathematics head with supporting documents will be the basis of judging. For students who are chosen to the top 20, each involvement on activities included in the recommendation of the principal/math head or other recognized authority will be reviewed and assessed by judges/co-presenters. The said recommendations will be one of the bases of the judges’ questions for the panel interview

SCREENING PROCEDURES

The screening procedure is summarized in the diagram below. All nominees will undergo a pre-screening process by pre-screening committee. On the basis of a nominee’s performance in mathematics competitions and their research and publications, 20 nominees will be selected for an interview by a panel of judges. Interview questions may be based on the nominee’s involvement in activities that promote mathematics, as indicated in (1) the recommendation from the school principal/mathematics head, (2) the nominee’s essay, and (3) other information submitted.  

Atom Araullo

·   In the latest World Economic Forum WEF Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-2014, the Philippines has been ranked 96^th out of 142 countries in perceived quality of Math and Science education. The survey questioned business executives around the world to rate the quality of education, among other things, in their respective countries.

·     

It is a considerable improvement from being ranked 115th(WEF 2011-1012), but still far behind our other Asian counterparts such Indonesia (35th), Japan (34th), Malaysia (27th), Taiwan (11th) Hongkong (10th). Singapore continues to be on top of the list.

Dr. Raymundo Favilais famous for advancing the knowledge and education of math throughout the Philippines contributing to many fields of mathematics including theoretical physics, geometry, algebra and trigonometry.

Casimiro del Rosario received the Presidential Award in 1965 in honor of his achievements in astronomy, meteorology and physics. He also researched soft X-rays, which helped bring him national acclaim.

Amador Murielfounded the Quantum Theory of Turbulence, contributed to theoretical physics, kinetic equations, stellar dynamics and self-gravitation.

The works of Tito A. Mijares have been internationally published in the Annals of Mathematical Statistics with his research into multivariety hypothesis and its analysis. He also serves as the executive director of the National Census and Statistics Office as well as deputy director-general of the National Economics Development Authority.

Jose A. Marasigan was among those who launched the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad and created the Program for Excellence in Mathematics. He has received a number of mathematical honors, including the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology.

*http://www.ask.com/question/list-of-filipino-mathematicians