Gul.ai: AI- and IoT-enabled Plant-growing System for Boosting STEM Education in the Philippines

Science and technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the primary and secondary level play a key role not only in developing the future science and technology workers of a country but also in developing individuals who have a good understanding of good health and safe living, agility in a rapidly changing society, and respect and appreciation towards the environment. The Philippines is currently experiencing difficulties in the performance of students in science and mathematics in the primary and secondary education levels based on the results of recent international assessments. There is also growing lack of interest in agriculture among the youth. These issues pose a threat to the future of science and technology, and food security in the country. We present in this paper our contributions to addressing these issues through the perspective of ICT and alternative crop production technologies. The output of our research and development work hopefully will spark student’s interest in learning more about science and technology, engineering, and mathematics, and develop in them a sense of appreciation towards the role of agriculture in our society.