On December 6, 2025, Bachelor of Secondary Education specializing in Science (BSEd-Science) at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), through their official club, Sodality of Aspiring Science Educationalists (SASEd), launched its first-ever Tuklas: Science Education Masterclass. Held at the Biology Laboratory on the 4th Floor, the inaugural session marked the beginning of a new in-house training platform designed exclusively for aspiring science teachers.
Tuklas was developed to provide BSEd-Science students with high-quality, expert-led learning experiences that extend beyond regular coursework. SASEd moderator Dr. Marbhen Dominique O. Abendaño underscored the program’s purpose. “The mission of Tuklas is to support our very own BSEd-Science students by providing accessible, high-quality science education that enhances their content mastery, pedagogical skills, and shapes their future careers in the field of education,” he said.
Dr. Abendaño shared that the initiative grew from an understanding of BSEd-Science students’ challenges. “I recognized the challenges commonly faced by the students, and with a desire to make a difference, as their moderator, I decided to create a platform that offers in-house, practical, expert-led masterclasses tailored specifically to their needs,” he added.
He also highlighted the program’s vision of expanding academic exposure and global learning experience. “Tuklas will be made up of seasoned teachers and experts who will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our masterclasses. We will invite HCDC alumni, experts, and, of course, I am also planning to integrate internationalization-at-home through the COIL program,” he said.
Twenty-eight BSEd-Science students participated in the 4-hour masterclass, which explored “Biodiversity in a Changing World: How Species Richness, Diversity, and Abundance Respond to Environmental Stressors.” The session was facilitated by Mr. Louie A. Banate, MAEd, LPT, an HCDC alumnus and the first lecturer of the Tuklas series.
Mr. Banate emphasized the purpose of the SASEd’s initiative. “TUKLAS offers a space where BSEd-Science can deepen their content mastery at the same time, embracing innovative, learner-centered teaching approaches. It empowers future-ready teachers to devise meaningful and relevant learning experiences that connect scientific concepts with what is happening in the real world. It cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and informed citizenship, strengthening the role of science education in building a more knowledgeable and responsible society,” he shared.
For participating BSEd-Science students, the discussion on biodiversity hit close to home. First-year BSEd-Science student Raziz Sabello reflected on the importance of the topic. “Protecting biodiversity matters to students because the food, air, and water we need to live on all come from our environment. We’re the ones who’ll take care of the planet next, so keeping these species safe means future generations can enjoy them too, and we might even discover new medicines or solutions from them along the way,” he said.
Also present during the event were Science Laboratory Coordinators Ms. Hanna Monica Amora, LPT, and Ms. Karen Mae A. Obillo, and part-time college science instructor Ms. Jheorgette Lei Chavez, LPT. Ms. Amora and Ms. Chavez are both proud HCDC alumni who continue to contribute to the institution’s science education initiatives.
With its successful launch, Tuklas sets the momentum for more relevant, specialized, and empowering learning opportunities for future science educators. Through this masterclass, these future science teachers will be able to shape science education in classrooms across the Philippines and around the world holistically.