SSTS Newsletter

Volume 3 , Issue 3 Oct-Dec 2012

Science and Technology Month 2012 November is celebrated as Science and Technology Month and the mandate of the Science and Technology Education Unit (STEU) of the Scientific Research Council is to promote the importance and application of Science, Technology and Innovation in schools.

There were various activities that occurred during Science and Technology Month this year. Some of these included: Proclamation Ceremony; Church Service ; SRC’s Biennial Conference; Schools Science and Technology Societies (SSTS) Oratorical Competition; External Tours and Open Day. The Proclamation Ceremony held at King’s House on November 2, 2012 officially declared Science and Technology Month open. The Proclamation was presented to the Acting Executive Director of the SRC, Mr. Hawthorne Watson, by the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen.

The Church Service was held at Church on the Rock on November 4, 2012. Pastor Franz Fletcher in a vivid and divine sermon blessed the Council and its activities during Science and Technology Month.

Members of the Managerial Team of the SRC and the Governor General at the Proclamation Ceremony.

Congregation at the Church Service on Church on the Rock.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION UNIT:

Telephone: (876) 927-1771-4

Fax: (876) 927-0806 Editor: Ms. Sannette Hall

Email: ssts.src@gmail.com

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SRC’s 2nd Biennial Conference The Scientific Research Council in collaboration with the Caribbean WELCOME Project held the 2nd Biennial Science and Technology Conference and 3rd International Conference Caribbean Welcome Project at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on November 6-8, 2012. The theme of the conference was Science & Technology Driving Development: Competitive Edge for Caribbean Entities.

The guest presenters were Prof. Cardinal Warde, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Mr. Robert Rashford, Aerospace Engineer and President & CEO of Genetics Engineering. Other presentations were made by SRC staff members, representatives from Caribbean WELCOME Project as well as other scientists and professionals.

On the final day, the Young Scientist Award was presented to Dr. Charah T. Watson, from the University of the West Indies, for her work on Jamaican Medicinal Plants and their role in Sustainable Economic Development.

Photo Highlights

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SSTS Oratorical Competition 2012 The eight (8th) staging of the Schools’ Science and Technology Societies (SSTS) Oratorical Competition was held at the SRC Boardroom on November 27-28, 2012. For the first time, this year, the competition was opened to lower secondary students (Grade 7-9). The topic discussed was ‘Waste to Energy: The Need, Opportunity and Feasibility’.

The finals for the 7-9 Category was held on November 27, 2012 and a total of nine (9) students (top 3 from each region) delivered presentations on this topic. The top three students were: Sashay Smikle from Denbigh High (1st Place); Dominique Grant from Willowdene Group of Schools (2nd Place); and Shemar Williams from St. George's College (3rd Place).

The grades 10-13 finals was held on November 28, 2012 and the audience was treated to an energetic and interesting morning filled with articulate and eloquent speakers. The top three students were : Michael Lewis from Denbigh High (1st Place); Curtis Moxam from Manning’s School (2nd Place); and Nashon Mitchell from Ardenne High (3rd Place).

Ms. Kerry-Ann Curtis, Coordinator of the STEU, welcomes participants to the SSTS Oratorical Competition Finals.

Students prepare for the start of the SSTS Oratorical Finals

Finalists in the 10-13 Category

Finalists in the 7-9 Category prepare to deliver their speeches

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SSTS Oratorical Competition 2012 Special gratitude must be extended to the judges for this year’s competition who hailed from various Science and Technology organizations in the corporate area. They were: Mr. Hopeton Peterson (Planning Institute of Jamaica); Ms. Shalene Davis (Petroleum Cooperation of Jamaica); Dr. Stacey-Ann Wilson (Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining) and Mrs. Marie Wint-McKenzie (Central Information Technology Office).

Mr. Peterson (PIOJ) and Ms. Davis (PCJ) deliberate during Day 1 of Competition.

Mrs. Wint-McKenzie (CITO) and Dr. Wilson (MSTEM) listen intently to the presentations on Day 2.

Winners

Sashay Smikle

Dominique Grant

Shemar Williams

Michael Lewis

Curtis Moxam

Nashon Mitchell

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Denham Town Primary opens Rosa P. Reid Science Laboratory The Denham Town Primary school opened its fully equipped Rosa P. Reid Science Laboratory which was donated by Mr. Jeffrey Reid, philanthropist and past student of the institution.

The official opening ceremony was held on November 14, 2012 on the school grounds.

Presentations were made by Mr. Julian Robinson (State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining); Mr. Desmond McKenzie (Member of Parliament); Mrs. Doreen Dietrich (Team Leader of Popularization); Mrs. Daffodil Bruce-Miller (Representative from JPSCo.); and Mr. Jeffrey Reid.

The guest speaker for the afternoon’s proceeding was the Minister Thwaites and Mr. Reid cut the ribbon and declared the Science Lab officially opened.

Minister of Education, the Honorable Rev. Ronald Thwaites.

The audience was also treated to a performance by students of the school. The lab houses state of the art equipment that will help to develop and promote investigation and discovery among young students.

Melecia Senior cops SRC Science Award The Shortwood Teachers’ College, like any other institution, celebrates the achievement of its students at an Annual Awards Ceremony. For the past two years, the institution has received additional support from the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in recognizing and rewarding the top Science student at this event. The award serves to encourage students in the Department of Science & Environmental Education to excel, especially at a time when it is recognised that the teaching of Science requires innovation and practicality to entice and engage students both within and outside of the classroom.

This year the recipient of the award was Miss Melicia Senior, a second year student, who obtained a GPA of 3.86 for the 2011/2012 academic year. The presentation of the award and bursary ($50, 000) was done by Mrs. Doreen Dietrich, Team Leader of Popularization at the SRC.

Melecia Senior receives the Scientific Research Council Award for Excellence in Science from Mrs. Doreen Dietrich, Team Leader of Popularisation at the Scientific Research Council.

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Open Day 2012 On Thursday, November 29th, the Science & Technology Education Unit of the SRC coordinated Open Day activities for students of neighbouring schools, Mona High School and Papine High School. A total of eighty-six (86) students and teachers toured agencies of the Hope Gardens Complex, including the Tissue Culture Lab (SRC), Food Pilot Plant (SRC), the Waste Water Unit (SRC), the Water Resources Authority, and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute.

At the various agencies, students and teachers viewed hands-on application of science in the field.

Students were given the opportunity to observe various processes including: meat curing, the growth of plantlets in sterile media, use of rain gauge, measurement of river speed, greenhouse operations, waste water treatment systems, and the use of hydroponics.

A representative from the Water Resources Authority demonstrate the use off equipment to measure water depth in wells

Students listen to presentation by Dr. Lambert of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute

Students observe the operations of the Food Pilot Plant at the Scientific Research Council

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The STEU sparks renewed interest in Biodigester Technology at Alston High On October 10, 2012, the Popularization Unit visited the Alston High School to conduct a workshop with teachers and students in an attempt to renew interest in the Biodigester build on the school’s grounds by the SRC. The presentation highlighted the functions and importance of the Biodigester system and how the school can benefit from a functioning system. The students were quite enthused with the concept and a sense of renewed hope was felt after the presentation. Further contact is to be made with the head of the Science department, Mr. Williams, who is in charge of spear heading the drive to renew interest in the project.

Posters donated to St. John Boscoe Boy’s Home The STEU donated six (6) posters to the St. John Boscoe Boy’s Home in Manchester on October 10, 2012. The principal of the school, Ms. Barbara Turner, expressed her gratitude at the gesture on behalf of the teachers and students.

Science Education Workshop Science Education Workshop A workshop was conducted with a group of teachers at the Holy Childhood Preparatory School on October 17, 2012. The aim of the workshop was to highlight activities that teachers can used to promote and enhance science education at the primary level. Teachers participated in various activities and worked in groups to complete tasks. Many felt that the activities would help to improve science education in their classrooms.

SSTS Science Activities The team from the Science and Technology Education Unit visited the SSTS of Waterford High School on October 30, 2012 to conduct science activities with the club members. The students were given a brief overview of the activities of the STEU by Ms. Kerry-Ann Curtis, Coordinator, which was followed by a session of hand-on science activities. Students were given an opportunity to participate in various chemical reactions and processes which aided in a better understanding of concepts in the CXC syllabus.

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Photo Highlights

Students at Waterford High observing chemicals (left) reactions and recording their results (right)

Teachers at Holy Childhood Prep participate in Science activities

Ms. Curtis, Coordinator of the STEU, delivers a presentation on the benefits of a Biodigester (left) to students at the Alston High School in Clarendon (right).

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Upcoming Activities 

Essay and Poster Finals (February 22, 2013)

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Prize Giving Ceremony (March 2013)

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SSTS Activities and Science Workshops (January-March, 2013)

Coming Soon…….. Let your voice be heard…...

The STEU is introducing a ‘Students’ Editorial Page’ beginning in the next Quarter Issue, March 2013.

SSTS members across the island will have an opportunity to let their voices be heard.

Next Issue’s Topic: “Why did you become a member of the SSTS?” Email your comments to: ssts.src@gmail.com OR Send us a message on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ssts.src