Demonstrating ingenuity and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, SLC high school team bagged 2nd Runner-Up in the Interschool Research Paper Competition sponsored by the City Information, Communications, and Technology Office of San Fernando. The event was held during the 2025 Smart and Sustainable Communities Summit at Champions Academy, Santiago Norte, City of San Fernando, La Union, on December 5, 2025.
The group’s research study, “Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Manure as a Biopolymeric Super Absorbent Gel,” was authored by Casey Yvaine Hope Hoggang, Derlen Nicole Oballes, Nicole Sharlymaine Cariño, Duztin Liclican and Leithan Michael Ong, under the guidance of Mr. Allen Christian S. Borja, their Research Adviser.
Their innovative project explores the development of a cost-effective and eco-friendly hydrogel derived from goat manure and natural starch-based polymers. Designed as a biopolymeric super absorbent gel, the product aims to mitigate the harsh effects of El Niño by improving soil moisture retention and supporting healthy crop and plant growth. Goat manure, being a natural fertilizer rich in essential nutrients, offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials often used in commercial hydrogels.
This achievement marks another significant milestone in the institution’s growing legacy of scientific excellence. It underscores the school’s dedication to ecological sustainability, research-driven solutions, and its active contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a Catholic educational institution, it reaffirms its mission to remain Christ-centered and missionary, serving as responsible stewards of God’s creation while fostering innovation through SMART research initiatives.
Mr. Allen Christian S. Borja
Ms. Charmaine Lynne J. Fernandez and Mr. Jez Mercado
