The program started with the department’s very own Assoc. Prof Joanne Bantang’s discussion on Conceptualizing a Research Study for Home Economics. The talk is a brief review on the basics of research concepts and processes. It covered three major topics: research as inquiry, academic research problems, and major research methods. This opening session reinforced the participants' understanding of the role of research in understanding phenomena and in providing relevant solutions rooted in home economics.

After an open forum on the opening session, Dr. Maria Fema Aquino connected her workshop with Assoc. Prof. Bantang’s discussion with her workshop, “How To Formulate A Research Topic Outline That Addresses An Issue In Home Economics Or Related Fields”. The workshop was designed for home economics educators, providing a structured approach in providing research gaps, developing a well-defined research outline, and critically refining problem statements. The workshop included hands-on activities, group collaboration, topic formulation, and peer review exercises. By the end of the session, all participants have had the experience of developing a research outline with clear objectives, methodology, and contributions to the field.

The last lecture-discussion was given by Dr. John Paolo Rivera, which covered the use of the Internet and AI tools entitled, “Responsible Use of the Internet and Artificial Intelligence in Home Economics Research”. The talk circulates around teaching the participants about ethical practices and effective use of AI and other digital tools on the internet. The talk covered three points: relevance of technology in research, how to maximize internet utility for literature review in research, and the ethical use of the internet and AI. The goal of the discussion was to equip the HE teachers with the necessary skills to maximize available technology in an moral, ethical, manner—producing original, reliable, and far-reaching research in the field of home economics 

Angel Jota, the student assistant and project staff for the extension program of the department, shares that she and the department took a lot of things into account in preparing for the event. She shares that Asst. Prof. Justine Trinidad, Asst. Prof. Aurora Llige, and Asst. Prof. Afrecita Nieva took time in carefully crafting the program to fit the needs of HE and TLE teachers based on the TNA survey. Their preparations included a tailor-fitted program, producing training materials (e.g. certificates and take-home kits), securing the venue, and curating promotional content for engagement such as posts and videos. They were also careful with the logistics of their preparations as they needed to stay on a fixed budget while still considering the training kits, meals and snacks.