Habagat Impact Accelerator

As blue economy systems evolve to adapt to climate change, scientists and innovators are pivotal in driving adaptations. The Habagat Innovation Fellows of the Blue Economy Lab enable PSHS alums, faculty, and students to collaborate across geographies and sectors, co-creating with diverse stakeholders to work on wicked problems, and then lead the way, effecting change at the provincial, city, and municipal levels.

This program provides PSHS alums, students, and faculty with a vehicle for engaging government agencies, Local Government Units, universities, CSOs, and other stakeholders to become co-creators of innovations in the blue economy. By engaging with LGUs and universities, the Habagat Fellows also get to retool and sharpen their skills in operating in complex, larger-scale, and open systems. 

Orientation on Feb.22, 2024 10-1130am

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEudu2vrz4iH9Srk6-hysDrEyMLtyX_uDQo 

Program Details

Our program is designed to provide training and support to Fellows, ensuring they are able to build upon their existing skillsets and portfolios and extend these into the blue economy practice. 

Here's what you can expect:

• Program Overview: A practitioner-oriented and immersive experience focused on the blue economy.

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to PSHS alumni, faculty, and students with a passion for the blue economy and related fields 

• University Partnerships: Fellows will co-create innovation partnerships with local university partners.

• Curriculum: A diverse range of modules covering policy, technology, and community engagement.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced mentors in the field.

• Locations: Engagement with local governments at provincial, city, and municipal levels as well as with local university partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the Habagat Innovation Fellows Program?

• The Habagat Innovation Fellows Program is an initiative aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration among high school students (referred to as Habagat Young Scientists), undergraduate and graduate students, and alumni (referred to as Habagat Innovation Fellows) of the Philippine Science High School system. It also involves participation from Philippine Science High School instructors who actively align student research towards the blue economy (referred to as Habagat Teaching Fellows).

2. What is the goal of the Habagat Innovation Fellows Program?

• The program aims to empower participants to develop innovative solutions related to the blue economy, which encompasses sustainable use of ocean resources, conservation of marine ecosystems, and economic growth for coastal communities.

3. How can I participate in the Habagat Innovation Fellows Program?

• High school students, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and instructors from the Philippine Science High School system can participate in the program by joining as Habagat Young Scientists, Habagat Innovation Fellows, or Habagat Teaching Fellows, respectively.

4. What is the role of Habagat Young Scientists in the program?

• Habagat Young Scientists will have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary projects related to the blue economy, collaborate with peers and mentors, and contribute to the development of innovative solutions.

5. What is the role of Habagat Innovation Fellows in the program?

• Habagat Innovation Fellows will serve as mentors, advisors, and collaborators for Habagat Young Scientists, leveraging their expertise and experience to support the development and implementation of innovative projects.

6. What is the role of Habagat Teaching Fellows in the program?

• Habagat Teaching Fellows will play a crucial role in guiding and facilitating student research projects that align with the goals of the blue economy, helping to nurture the next generation of innovators and leaders in this field.

7. Does the program provide funding support for projects?

• Currently, there is no direct funding support available for projects. However, there are plans to attract financial supporters to the program and to specific projects in the future.

8. How can participants collaborate with nearby coastal cities and municipalities?

• Participants are encouraged to collaborate and prototype solutions with nearby coastal cities and municipalities to address local challenges and enhance the scalability and practicality of their innovations.

9. How will the program interface with local university research programs?

• The program will establish partnerships with local universities to leverage their research expertise, facilities, and resources in co-creating practical and scalable solutions for the blue economy.

10. How will the program interface with city and municipal governments?

• The program will collaborate with city and municipal governments to identify priority areas for innovation and to ensure that solutions developed through the program are aligned with local needs and policies.

11.What support will participants receive throughout the program?

• There is no direct funding for projects at this point. Participants gain by connecting with fellow innovators beyond their campuses. Guidance will be provided primarily by the instructors at the campuses. Additional technical guidance will be mobilized through local universities. Fellows will access to resources such as online workshops, networking events, and collaboration tools to support their project development and implementation.

12. How will the program ensure interdisciplinary collaboration?

• The program will facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration through workshops, team-building activities, and mentorship programs that bring together participants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

13. Are there opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange?

• Yes, participants will have opportunities to network with industry experts, researchers, and policymakers through events such as virtual conferences, guest lectures, and panel discussions.

14. How will the program measure success?

• Success will be measured based on the impact of participants' projects on the blue economy, including factors such as environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social equity.

15. Can participants continue their projects after the program ends?

• Yes, participants are encouraged to continue developing and scaling their projects even after the program ends, with support from mentors, collaborators, and other stakeholders.

16. Is there a specific focus within the blue economy for projects?

• While projects should align with the overarching goals of the blue economy, participants have the flexibility to explore a wide range of topics and issues within this field.

17. How can participants stay updated on program activities and opportunities?

• Participants will receive regular updates and communications via email, social media channels, and the program's website. An internal online platform (FB group or Discord) will be used as a collaboration platform.

18. Are there opportunities for international collaboration?

• While the primary focus is on local and national collaboration, participants may explore opportunities for international collaboration on a case-by-case basis.

19. How can alumni contribute to the program?

• Alumni can contribute to the program by serving as mentors, guest speakers, team members, or advisors, and by providing support and guidance to current participants based on their own experiences and expertise.

20. How can I get involved in the Habagat Innovation Fellows Program?

• If you are interested in participating or learning more about the program, please contact the program organizers or visit the program's website for more information on how to get involved.

Project Concepts (developed with ChatGPT)

1. Smart Aquaculture Monitoring System: Develop a technology platform that integrates sensors, satellite imagery, and data analytics to monitor water quality, detect disease outbreaks, and optimize feeding practices in aquaculture farms, improving productivity and sustainability.

2. Ocean Energy Harvesting: Design and deploy innovative wave energy converters or tidal turbines to harness the power of ocean currents and waves, providing clean and renewable energy sources for coastal communities in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

3. Climate-Resilient Coastal Infrastructure: Utilize advanced materials and engineering techniques to design and construct climate-resilient coastal infrastructure, such as seawalls, breakwaters, and flood barriers, to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

4. Mangrove Restoration Drones: Develop drones equipped with seed dispersal mechanisms to reforest degraded mangrove ecosystems, enhancing coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration efforts.

5. Fisheries Blockchain: Implement a blockchain-based traceability system for fisheries management, enabling transparent and secure tracking of seafood products from catch to market, reducing illegal fishing activities and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

6. Marine Debris Recycling: Create innovative recycling technologies to convert marine debris, such as plastic waste and abandoned fishing gear, into value-added products, such as building materials, textiles, or fuel, reducing pollution and promoting circular economy principles.

7. Climate-Resilient Coral Reef Restoration: Develop bioengineered coral fragments with enhanced resilience to climate change stressors, such as ocean warming and acidification, and deploy them in degraded reef areas to accelerate coral reef restoration efforts.

8. Aquaponics Farming: Integrate aquaculture and hydroponics systems to create closed-loop aquaponics farms that produce fish and vegetables sustainably, using nutrient-rich wastewater from fish tanks to fertilize crops, while conserving water and land resources.

9. Climate-Smart Fishing Gear: Design and test innovative fishing gear and practices that minimize bycatch, reduce habitat damage, and increase selectivity, while also incorporating climate change adaptation strategies, such as adjusting fishing seasons and quotas.

10. Seagrass Carbon Sequestration: Implement projects to restore and conserve seagrass meadows, which act as highly efficient carbon sinks, capturing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while also providing critical habitat for marine biodiversity.

11. Satellite-Based Illegal Fishing Detection: Develop algorithms and satellite imagery analysis techniques to detect and monitor illegal fishing activities in marine protected areas and exclusive economic zones, enabling timely enforcement actions and resource management interventions.

12. Ocean Plastic Cleanup Robots: Engineer autonomous robots equipped with artificial intelligence and robotic arms to collect and remove plastic debris from coastal waters and shorelines, complementing manual cleanup efforts and reducing human exposure to hazardous waste.

13. Floating Solar Farms: Construct floating solar photovoltaic arrays on water bodies, such as reservoirs, lakes, and coastal areas, to generate renewable energy while also reducing water evaporation, algae growth, and providing habitat for aquatic species.

14. Community-Based Climate-Resilient Fisheries Management: Implement participatory approaches, such as community co-management and rights-based fisheries management, combined with climate adaptation strategies, to enhance the resilience and sustainability of small-scale fisheries in the region.

15. Ocean Data Platforms: Develop integrated ocean data platforms that consolidate and analyze various sources of oceanographic data, including satellite imagery, ocean buoys, and underwater sensors, to support decision-making for marine resource management and climate adaptation planning.

16. Blue Carbon Financing Mechanisms: Establish innovative financing mechanisms, such as blue carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services, to incentivize the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, as natural climate solutions.

17. Aquatic Weed Biocontrol: Introduce biological control agents, such as herbivorous fish or insects, to manage invasive aquatic weeds that threaten coastal ecosystems and fisheries productivity, reducing reliance on chemical herbicides and promoting ecosystem balance.

18. Fisheries Stock Assessment using Artificial Intelligence: Develop machine learning algorithms and predictive models to assess fish stocks, estimate population dynamics, and forecast future trends in response to climate change and fishing pressure, supporting science-based fisheries management strategies.

19. Virtual Reality Marine Education: Create immersive virtual reality experiences and educational programs to raise awareness about marine conservation issues, such as coral bleaching, overfishing, and plastic pollution, inspiring behavior change and stewardship among youth and communities.

20. Ocean Acidification Mitigation: Investigate novel techniques, such as ocean alkalinization or the addition of mineral substrates, to mitigate ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems, buffering pH levels and promoting the survival and growth of calcifying organisms like corals and shellfish.

Apply here