Curiosity Knows No Age

This stayed with me after volunteering with Pueblo Science in Iloilo (Philippines) last June, where I had the privilege of teaching robotics to high school students and primary school teachers. I signed up at a time when I was burnt out and questioning if I had lost my love for science. I wanted to volunteer as a small way to give back, hoping to network with other scientists, but in the process, I unexpectedly reconnected with myself.

In our sessions, I watched participants light up as they ran their first program. I was especially moved by those in their late 50s who willingly stepped into the unfamiliar, where technology often feels out of reach. I braced myself for reluctance but instead, was met with a warm, “Paturo nga ako, hija (Would you mind teaching me, dear?)”. Their eagerness filled my heart each time and reminded me why I chose to be a scientist in the first place.

Pueblo Science is more than an outreach program. It is a reminder that STEM is not just about innovation or concepts, but about people. It is about building confidence, opening doors, and sparking curiosity at any age. As a first-time volunteer, I was admittedly insecure about what I could contribute. However, the leap of faith taught me that passion for science and education is more than enough, and that in a like- minded community, you grow together not just as scientists, but as people.

Though robotics may still be a privilege in the Philippines, efforts like these chip away at the divide. They reaffirm that science should belong to everyone, and that sometimes, in helping others, we rediscover the wonder we thought we had lost.

About the Author

Dindi Remedios Guzon is a materials scientist specializing in biomaterials and tissue engineering. She holds an MSc in Bio & Pharmaceutical Materials Science (Erasmus Mundus). She has conducted research at KU Leuven and the University of Pisa on skeletal muscle engineering, bioprinting, and regenerative medicine. Passionate about education, she volunteers with GRADMAP to support Filipinos pursuing graduate scholarships. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, singing, and staying active.