Volume 2 , Issue 4 Jan-April 2012
Science, Technology and Innovation Explosion!!!! The Scientific Research Council in collaboration with the Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica hosted the Science, Technology and Innovation Explosion at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at the Jamaica College on April 3, 2012. The explosion was a combination of three events: A Careers’ Expo, Young Inventor/Innovator Competition (preliminary judging) as well as the Award Ceremony for the Essay and Poster Competition. The STI Explosion was officially declared open by a short ceremony which featured greetings from Dr. Chadwick Anderson, Executive Director of the SRC; Mr. Hawthorne Watson, Manager of the Information Services Division; and Mr. Ruel Reid, Principal of the Jamaica College. Twenty-nine (29) organizations which included the public and private sectors, educational institutions and technological agencies displayed exhibits highlighting careers in Students and teachers visit booths at the STI Expo Science and Technology as well as the institution where training to pursue such careers may be obtained. Many of the organizations mounted interactive displays which enabled students and teachers to get ‘hands on’ experience with science, technology and innovation at work. The afternoon's events were broadcasted by a team from FAME 95 FM who were on location between 1pm and 5 pm. Ms. Regina Beavers conducted interviews with Dr. Anderson, a member of the Jamaica College’s Robotics Team and Mr. Beneil Morgan, a teacher at the Garvey Maceo High School. 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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Highlights of the STI Explosion
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Young Inventor/Innovator Competition The preliminary judging/screening of entries in the Young Inventor/Innovator Competition was also done on April 3, 2012. This year’s competition had a total of thirty one (31) entries from individuals and schools across the island. Participants were grouped by age into 4 categories: 9-12 years (11 entries); 13-17 years (15 entries); 18-25 years (3 entries); and 25 years and older (1 entry). Entries included agricultural and natural products, sauces and foods as well as devices for energy production and conservation. Of the 31 entries, 23 will advance to the finals of the competition during Science and Technology month in November. A special thanks to all our judges, Mr. Craig Harley, Ms. Donna Marie Newby, Mr. Olando Gayle, Mrs. Herma Meade and Mr. Colin Coley. Some of the projects are displayed below
Sunderland All Age Quick Patch
Willowdene Group of Schools Magnetic Generator St. Andrew Technical High School “Beet it Up” Products
Denham Town Primary Picnic Pot
Port Morant Primary & Jr High Thermo Box
Camperdown High Solar Water Pump
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Essay and Poster Competition The Scientific Research Council’s Essay and Poster Competition 2012, saw students from primary and secondary institutions submitting essays and posters based on five categories at each level. A total of two hundred and sixty-one (261) entries were received for this year’s competition. Of this number, one hundred and thirty one were essay entries (79 primary and 52 secondary) and the remaining 130 were posters (53 primary and 77 secondary). The categories for the essay and poster competition focused on pertinent areas of science and technology namely: conservation, energy , natural resources, innovation, information and communication technologies as well as science exploration. The judges for the essay competition were: Ms. Marsha-Gaye Brown of Petroleum Cooperation of Jamaica; Ms. Viv Ward of UTech; Mrs. Marie Wint McKenzie of Central Information & Technology Office; Mr. Marlon Osbourne from the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division; Ms. Jodi Spence, Ms. Sannette Hall, Mr. Andrew Woods and Mr. Keroma Bernard all from the SRC. The poster competition judges were Mr. Craig Harley, Ms. Michelle Morris and Ms. Donna Cornwall from the SRC. The winners from primary schools, first to fourth place, and those from high schools, first to third place, were invited to participate in the awards ceremony. Below is a list of the winners in various categories of the essay and poster competition.
PRIMARY
ESSAY WINNERS
POSTER WINNERS
Category A
Energy Conservation Katherine Peralto Stella Maris Prep
Energy Conservation & Me Nickallaye Gunn Corinaldi Avenue Primary
Category B
Myself as Career Scientist Roshaun Robinson Stella Maris Prep
Space Scientist Exploration Ashley Richards Mount St. Joseph Prep
Category C
Protecting our Natural Resources Kareem Williams Corinaldi Avenue Primary
Trees for Life Zoya Smith Stella Maris Prep
Category D
Protecting the Ozone Layer Victoria Parague Stella Maris Prep
Protecting the Ozone Layer Samantha Chin Stella Maris Prep
Category E
Science & Technology Influencing the Way We Live Kevar Ricketts Kilsyth Primary and Infant
Cyber-Tech Classroom Alexander Boyd Stella Maris Prep
Continued on Page 5
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Essay and Poster Competition SECONDARY
ESSAY WINNERS
POSTER WINNERS
Category A
Science, Technology & Innovation Ackasia Thompson Anchovy High
Innovation for National Development Sean-Michael Salter Cornwall College
Category B
Agriculture Franz Brown Ardenne High
Agriculture: Tapping into Unused Resources Jheraud James Cornwall College
Category C
Energy Zaqkeisha Hayles Edwin Allen High
Energy Prospects: Oil and Gas Exploration Fitzroy Ford Cornwall College
Category D
Environmental Science Tia Thompson St. Catherine High
Recycle for Income Generation Kemoy Strachan Cornwall College
Category E
Information & Communication Technologies Nkechi-Ann Porter Campion College
Breakthroughs in Education Using ICT Raymaro Lumley Cornwall College
The overall winning school for the secondary essay competition was St. Catherine High School and the overall winning school for the secondary poster competition was Cornwall College. Cornwall College was named Overall Winning High School and Stella Maris Prep overall winning Primary/Prep School. The teachers who supervised the winning students were also awarded for their work. Overall winning Primary School teachers were Ms. Kadia Pounal (essay) and Ms. Jennease Guy (poster) of Stella Maris Prep and overall winning secondary teachers were Mr. Conrad Moore (essay) of St. Catherine High and Mr. Clyde Clarke (poster) of Cornwall College.
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Essay and Poster Competition Awards Ceremony Highlights
Annual Essay and Poster Competition - Secondary Essay and Poster Winners
Annual Essay and Poster Competition - Prep/Primary Essay and Poster Winners
Overall Prep/Primary Winning School - Stella Maris Prep
Overall Secondary Winning School - Cornwall College
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Ministry of Education Celebrates Jamaica Day!! The Scientific Research Council was invited to participate in the Ministry of Education’s Jamaica Day on February 17, 2012. The theme for the event was Celebrating Jamaica: Goals for Gold. Cultural presentations were made by members of staff and invited schools. The guest speaker was Mrs. Grace Jackson-Small who engaged the audience in a short yet interesting speech about setting and achieving goals, a reflection of her life as an athlete. The SRC along with other agencies displayed booths which showcased accomplishments of students which have participated in competitions over the past few years. Presentations were also made by a representative of each organization. The team leader for Popularization of Science, Mrs. Doreen Dietrich, delivered a brief presentation on the SRC, highlighting the nature and accomplishments of the Council over the past 50 years.
Members of Staff at the Ministry of Education visit the SRC display
Denham Town Primary displays their 1st place 2011 Science Fair entry, Corny Products
.
Mrs. Doreen Dietrich, Team Leader of Popularization of Science, delivers her presentation on the SRC
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An Afternoon with a Scientist The Natural History Museum of Jamaica of the Institute of Jamaica invited the SRC to make a presentation for its “ An Afternoon with a Scientist” programme on February 8, 2012. The aim of the programme is to expose students to different areas of science and encourage an appreciation of it by teaching them the importance and relevance of science to our daily lives and the world at large. Ms. Jodi Spence, Process Development Officer, and Mr. Ryan Francis, Research Scientist, of the Biotechnology Unit made a presentation to students on Biotechnologists, their importance and functions. Demonstrations of the Glove Box, tissue cultured plants as well as the apparatus and materials used for making nutrient media was set up. Students got an opportunity to subculture ginger plantlets and measure and mix reagents used to make nutrient media.
Students using the Glove Box to subculture ginger plantlets
Mr. Ryan Francis, Research Scientist in the Biotechnology Unit, explains the procedure for making nutrient media.
Upcoming Events July - August
Summer Attachment Programme for teachers/students
Science & Technology Summer Camps
Summer School Science Tours
Caribbean Youth Science Forum at UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad (August 5-12)