Empowering Minds: Highlights from the 4th GRIT Research Colloquium

The 4th bi-annual Generating Results, Initiating Transformation (GRIT) Research Colloquium, held on December 13, 2024, showcased the exemplary innovations of Grade 12 student-researchers from various strands, including ABM, HUMSS, TVL, and STEM.

Organized by the QNHS SHS Department, the event brought together outstanding students who defended their research studies and competed for top recognition in both presentation and quality. The colloquium provided a platform for young researchers to demonstrate their abilities, creativity, and innovation on a larger stage, sharing knowledge that can be further explored by future researchers.

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand proved its academic excellence at the 4th GRIT Research Colloquium, securing victories in both the Best Research Paper and Best Research Presenter categories. The research team of Kathleen Kate T. Atienza from HUMSS - Athens, delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing their quantitative study titled “Comparative Analysis of Perceptions Among Grade 12 Students Toward the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand; Basis for a Redefined Inclusivity Program.”

Their study aimed to determine the differences in perceptions among Grade 12 students toward the HUMSS strand based on Academic Difficulty, Social Opportunities, Senior High School Dynamics, and Societal Value, with the goal of developing a school-based inclusivity program. This quantitative research is a continuation from their qualitative approach, titled “Breaking the Barrier: Developing Contextualized Approaches to Strengthen the Perspective Towards the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand”. The quantitative approach determined and validated the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding HUMSS students, analyzing how Grade 12 students from different strands perceive the field.

The award-winning study of Atienza and her team, demonstrated confidence and mastery toward their research, emphasizing that their study was beyond the typical scope expected at the senior high school level. The research exhibited strong analytical depth and methodological rigor, making it stand out among the presented studies. 

Atienza and her team’s remarkable victory, securing both the First Best Research Paper and Second Best Research Paper awards in the HUMSS category. Their milestone not only brought pride to their strand but also served as an inspiration for future researchers to pursue quantitative and data-driven analysis in their studies. With their success and well-earned recognition, Atienza’s team continues to break barriers and reshape perceptions, fostering a more inclusive educational setting.