DepEd Memorandum 006, s. 2026
National Science and Technology Fair For School Year 2025-2026
FEB 10 2026
DepEd MEMORANDUM
No. 006, s. 2026
NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAIR FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Minister, Basic Higher and Technical Education, BARMM
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Public and Private Secondary School Heads
Attached Agencies
All Others Concerned
1. The Department of Education (DepEd), pursuant to DepEd Order (DO) No. 010, s. 2024 titled Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum recognizes the National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF) as part of i s co-curricular programs. The STF serves as a platform for showcasing scientific inquiry and innovative thinking. Aligned with the Department's vision of enabling students to realize their full potential, the activity continues to empower learners through meaningful engagement in science and technology. This year, the NSTF invites students to explore a wide range of research in sustainability, environmental innovation, public health, and digital breakthroughs. Guided by the theme, Harnessing the Unknown: Powering the Future Through Science and Innovation, the event underscores the role of research in addressing today's most pressing challenges and their implications for the future. It encourages youth to envision bold, research-driven solutions to build a resilient, equitable, and thriving future for all.
2. DepEd announces the conduct of the STF for the school year 2025-2026, scheduled from March 10 to 13, 2026(exclusive of travel time), in the National Capital Region. Delegates are expected to arrive at the venue on March 10, 2026. The first meal will be the AM snack on March 10, 2026, and the last meal will be lunch on March 13, 2026.
3. Official endorsement of the participants, including the finalists and other delegates, signed by the regional director (RO), is required to be presented during registration.
4. The TF aims to
a. develop and strengthen the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills of learn rs through the conduct of research projects that address local, national, and/or global issues, concerns, and problems;
b. provide an avenue for high school learners to communicate research findings and showcase their investigations and innovations to the STEM community and the public;
c. foster a culture of creativity and innovation among the youth;
d. promote STEM awareness and interest of the learners, teachers, and the public;
e. provide an opportunity to establish research networks and collaborations among students, teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists, higher education and research institutions, government agencies/units, industries, and communities; and
f. identify the most creative and innovative student researchers who shall be the recipients of various awards, as well as the members of the Philippine team who shall participate in international STEM research and innovation fairs.
5. The NSTF shall include the following activities. Likewise, the STF from school to the regional level shall conduct similar activities in preparation for NSTF:
a. Tuklas - a STEM research competition with four categories: (1) Life Science, (2) Physical Science, (3) Robotics and Intelligent Machines, and (4) Mathematics and Computational Science—that provides junior and senior high school learners opportunities to showcase their research projects based on their field of interest and/or real-world problems, issues and concerns.
b. STEM Innovation Expo - a STEM Innovation competition that aims to recognize the most creative and market-viable project addressing major issues in food safety, water conservation, renewable energy, cyber security, road safety, health, disaster mitigation, agriculture, and environment.
c. STEM Academy - a conference designed to provide the participants with learning opportunities and experiences through various talks promoting innovation, creativity, and excellence in the fields of STEM.
d. Agham Bayanihan - a public community exhibition of the partners in STEM Research and Innovation showcasing their latest innovative products, technologies, and services offered to the different sectors of the community.
e. On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest - a two-hour competition that empowers learners to express their ideas visually and engage with real-world problems. This contest encourages critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
f. Regional Shoutout - a short public expression of greeting, celebration, and acknowledgment by each region for their NSTF participants during the actual event after their 30-second video presentation.
6. The official participants of the NSTF shall be limited to the Raak 1 Regional Winners in each individual and team category, as approved by the National Screening Review Committee (SRC).
7. Each region may send a maximum of 27 official delegates to the NSTF. This delegation includes up to 20 student participants, comprising one individual and one team of three members for each of the five competition categories: Life Science, Physical Science, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Mathematics and Computational Science, and STEM Innovation Expo. In addition, up to seven official participants may join (with a maximum of two allowable observers and one adult companion for every four learners). These may include the RD, assistant RD, chief education program supervisor, regional education program supervisor for Science or Mathematics, division Mathematics/Science supervisors, and research advisers. Please note that slots allocated to disqualified entries shall not be reassigned.
8. All schools, including those under the Philippine Science High School System, are invited to participate in the Division Science and Technology Fair (DSTF) to qualify for the Regional Science and Technology Fair (RSTF) and the NSTF.
9. A maximum of a two-minute video explainer of the research project shall be submitted together with the soft copy of the manuscript of the official entry before the conduct of the National Scientific Review Committee Meeting on the date to be announced in a separate issuance.
10. Focal persons, division Mathematics and Science supervisors under the Curriculum Implementation division, and regional Mathematics and Science supervisors under the Curriculum and Learning Management division shall lead the conduct of the STF at the school, division, and regional levels, respectively. Expenses incurred during the STF, from the school to the regional level, shall be charged to local funds, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and standards.
11. Compliance with DO 9, s. 2005, Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-on-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith, and DO 003, s. 2023,. An Order Allowing the Conduct of In-Person Activities in School, shall be observed at all times.
12. The following enclosures shall guide the regional offices, schools division offices, and schools in implementing and organizing STF:
13. The Regional Math and Science Supervisors are requested to submit to the Bureau of Curriculum Development the complete reports on the conduct of the RSTF using the format provided in Enclosures Nos. 9 and 11 on or before March 9, 2026t through the email address nst@deped.gov.ph. Failure to submit the complete report on time shall disqualify the region from participating in the National Fair.
14. The winners in all contest categories shall be determined based on the sum of rankings given by all three members of the Board of Judges (BOJ), in accordance with the criteria outlined in Enclosures Nos. 16, 18, and 19. The participant or team with the lowest total ranking across the three judges will be declared. The winner. In the event of a tie, the BOJ assigned to the category shall deliberate to break it. Moreover, the BO.J's decision is final and irrevocable upon announcement.
15. Travel and incidental expenses incurred by participants or official delegates from each region shall be charged to local funds or other available sources. Meanwhile, all expenses of DepEd Central Office (CO) personnel related to the conduct of the NSTF, including board and lodging of the national technical working group (NTWG), official guests and participants, materials, transportation and communication relative to the activities, prizes and cash awards, and honoraria for the BOJ, and external as well as non-DepEd resource persons, shall be charged to the basic education curriculum funds, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
16. Funds shall be downloaded to the host region or division to cover the cost of the following:
a. Board and lodging of NTWG, BOJs, and official delegates;
b. Support fund for travel expenses of NTWG and BOJs;
c. Meals of official delegates, NTWG, BOJs, and guests;
d. Rental of venues and equipment;
e. Service vehicles for NTWG and guests;
f. Payment for utilities;
g. Supplies and materials;
h. Tokens, medals, plaques, cash prizes, and certificates; and contingency and other related expenses incurred in the conduct of the NSTF.
17. A Statement of Expenditures by the host division or region audited by the local Commission on Audit and noted by the RD shall be submitted to the Chief of Accounting Division of the DepEd CO a month after the activity is conducted.
18. For queries and concerns, please contact the Bureau of Curriculum Development via email at bcd.od@deped.gov.ph, and copy furnish Mr. Jios Ver D. Temporal, ·STF Focal person, through email nstf@deped.gov.ph.
19. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired
By the Authority of the Secretary:
(Sgd.) CARMELA C. ORACION
Assistant Secretary
Officer-in-Charge
Office of the Undersecretary of Learning Systems
Encls.:
As stated
Reference:
DepEd Order (No. 010, s. 2024; 003, s. 2023; and 9, s. 2005)
DepEd Memorandum No. 016, s. 2025
To be indicated in the Perpetual Index
under the following subjects:
BASIC EDUCATION
BUREAUS AND OFFICES
CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS
CONTESTS
LEARNERS
LEARNING AREA, SCIENCE
PROGRAMS
SCHOOLS
A full copy of DepEd Memorandum No. 006, s. 2026 below:
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