Newsletter q5 2015

Volume 6, Issue 3 October - December 2015

JONATHAN GRANT SCIENCE FAIR SRC/ HOPE COMPLEX OPEN DAY ESSAY, POSTER AND PERFORMING ARTS COMPETITIONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MONTH 2015 SRC/ ASTJ NATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR 2016

Volume 6, Issue 3

October-December 2015

Jonathan Grant Science Fair a Hit Once Again Author: Sanatoya McLarty and Team (Jonathan Grant High School Science Club)

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ound and smoke bombs, volcanic eruptions, the egg and bottle experiment and other amazing experiments all drew massive interest and excitement as the Jonathan Grant High School (J.D.H.S) hosted its second biannual Science Fair on Friday November 20, 2015.

This grand event was held on the school grounds under the theme: “ Holistic Development through S.T.E.M. Education” with aim to promote the use of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the education and development of youth.

The day kicked off with an opening ceremony which included a brief devotion to invite the presence of the Lord. The ceremony featured Guest Speaker Mr. Owen Lewis, Education Officer at the Ministry of Education who exemplified the theme, shedding light on various aspects of S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Also in attendance was Member of Parliament Miss Denise Daley.

The day also included a lunch hour concert packed with exciting performances from groups such as the J.G.H.S. Drummers, I.M.M. (Intellectual Master Minds). The concert climaxed with a fashion show featuring “Plastic Fashions” designed from recycled plastic by students, and other participating groups.

Also sharing in the day’s activities were several companies, institutions and agencies who set up booths to display exhibits of products scientific processes and in general Science & Technology at work. Institutions included NEPA ( National Environmental and Planning Agency), Bodles Research Station, Jamaica 4H Clubs, the Meteorological Centre, Northern Caribbean University, University of the West Indies, Port Royal Marine Lab and The Caribbean Maritime Institute.

Other attention grabbing features of the fair were the competitions; the major one being, the interschool “Plastic to Fantastic” Competition. Several high schools vied for the trophy for the best plastic creation but, Waterford high school was awarded the coveted first place, Jonathan Grant High School was second and Eltham High School was third.

Other intra-school competitions, hosted by the Science Club included the Amazing Science Video Competition, Poster and Performing Arts Competition and the Mi-ROBOT Challenge (a robotics competition). The science club also mounted a robotics display that featured robots designed and created by science club members including: vibrating insect bots, a robotic arm, a quadcopter and a drone.

The event was well supported by students and teachers from neighboring schools and covered by the Jamaica Information Service.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Top left: Jonathan Grant’s Recycled Greenhouse Project Top right: Plants in the Greenhouse Middle: Drones on display Bottom: A dress made from recycled materials

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October-December 2015

SRC Hosts Hundreds of Students a

Credit: Jamaica Observer; http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/SRC-hosts-hundreds-of-students-

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undreds of students from over 30 schools across the island participated in an Open Day recently hosted by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) at its Hope Gardens complex in St Andrew.

The event was part of activities to mark Science and Technology Month in November. It featured tours of the grounds and facilities, presentations and displays from the SRC and other entities.

Among the main attractions were robotics displays by Jamaica College as well as robotics enthusiast Kimroy Bailey.

The students also viewed technologies powered by renewable energy such as a solar cooker. The 2014 National Innovator of the Year, Harlo Mayne, showed off his hydrogen-powered car.

The students were fascinated by the live demonstrations of scientific processes including confectionery making, tissue culture, and waste water treatment.

Attendees were also able to view and sample some of the

products manufactured by the SRC, inclu confectionery made at the event.

The day’s activities included contests in e oratory, poster, and performing arts.

Seaview Gardens Primary School emerge the primary section in the essay writing contest, with Campion College winning t segment.

Corinaldi Avenue Primary and Newell Hi the poster contest, with Cumberland Hig honours in the performing arts contest.

Other schools that participated in the Op Ebony Park HEART Academy, Glengoffe H Mount Alvernia High, Ocho Rios Primary Glenmuir High, Bog Walk High, The Man Westwood High.

Communication officer at the SRC, Miche objectives of the Open Day were to crea 4

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October-December 2015

at Science & Technology Open Day

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uding the

awareness and appreciation for science and technology and to improve interaction between members of the public and essay writing and the scientific community.

Morris stated that “the SRC is committed to utilising ed the winner for activities such as this to stimulate interest and increase and oratory awareness in science, technology and innovation�. the high school Other agencies and departments opened their doors to the public in November as part of activities marking Science igh were winners of and Technology Month. gh taking top These included Jamaica Bauxite Institute, Water Resources .

Authority, Mines and Geology Division, Jamaica Intellectual pen Day included Property Office, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, High, Spalding High, Bureau of Standards Jamaica, and the National Environment y, Ferncourt High, and Planning Agency. nning’s School and Institutions, including the University of Technology, University of the West Indies Mona Informatics, and elle Morris, said the Northern Caribbean University also participated. ate greater

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October-December 2015

SRC / HOPE COMPLEX OPEN DAY SNAPSHOTS

Top: Patrons getting a quick snap of the ‘solar car’ at the Robotics and Technology Exhibition at the Open Day. Middle: Students from Westwood High interact with staff from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at the University of Technology.

Bottom: Representatives from the Jamaica College Robotics Club perform a demonstration for students and teacher from Westwood High.

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Volume 6, Issue 3

October-December 2015

NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Top: Students from Montego Bay High taking a closer look at posters on display from the Poster Competition.

Middle: Executive Director at the SRC, Dr. Cliff Riley presents a trophy to the overall top student in the primary category of the Essay and Oratory Competition, Lashun Taylor of Seaview Gardens Primary.

Bottom: Participants in the Performing Arts Competition, entertaining judges and patrons.

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SRC/ ASTJ National Science

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hrough the collaboration of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), the Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica (ASTJ), College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) and HEART Trust/NTA (WorldSkills Jamaica), The National Science and Technology Fair will be staged on March 21, 2016.

The National Science and Technology Fair is geared towards stimulating interest and appreciation for Science, Technology and Innovation among our youth. We strongly believe that events like this will encourage the kind of creativity and innovation required to safeguard the future of S&T and by extension the social and economic well-being of our people.

The 2016 S&T Fair will create many opportunities for students and teachers to develop their scientific ideas, showcase their inThe original National Science and Technology Fair Trophy, novations and interact with experts in the field.

Sponsored by the Scientific Research Council in 1965.

Thus far, 4 regional workshops have been held in preparation for the final which will be held under the theme “Youth Centered Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development”.

The Fair will be held under the theme, “Youth Centred Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development.”

ENTRY DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 17, 2016 Entries should be prepared in keeping with the following themes: 1. Education and Entertainment 2. Food, Water and Agriculture 3. ICT, Electronics and Robotics 4. Environmental Stewardship: Recycle, Reuse and Reduce/Green Energy 5. Transportation/Security 6. Sports/Athletics Entry Categories: Primary/Preparatory Secondary

National Science 8

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e and Technology Fair 2016 Tertiary (Colleges, Universities, Technical and Vocational Training Institutions) Prizes will be awarded in the following subject areas: Environmental Science, Biology, Physics and Agriculture.

Additionally prizes will be awarded overall for the following: Most Innovative Display, Best Use of Indigenous Material, Best Use of Technology, and Potential for Commercialization.

FORMAT Applications will be shortlisted through the detailed application form.

Shortlisted entries will be displayed and judged at the National Finals on March 21 in Kingston.

Winners will be selected and awarded at an Awards Ceremony on the afternoon of March 21.

Call the SRC at 927-1771 to 4 or 927-0806 to request further information and material from the Regional Workshops.

Norman Manley High at The National Science Fair 2009

e Fair 2012 9