Scitech 6 new by Scientific Research Council

SciTech www.src.gov.jm

“Set It … Forget It” “Set it and forget it” is a phrase that is commonly used by the manager of the SRC’s Process Development Division, Julia Brown, when describing the development and operation of the Scientific Research Council’s wastewater treatment systems.

Julia Brown, Manger Process Dev. Division, SRC

The SRC endorses a number of wastewater systems namely; the Up Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor, the Biodigester Septic Tank, the Bio-Latrine and the Biodigester System. The systems are simple in construction and are relatively inexpensive. They do not require the use of electricity; can be applied on a large or small scale and can result in significant savings as they are designed to be placed on

site and don’t require extensive laying of pipes and manholes etc.

Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 1-10 Date: January 2013 Published by Marketech Ltd.

Inside this issue: “Set It...Forget It”

Cognizant of the importance of having Dr. Charah Watson and maintaining a healthy environment, Awarded SRC Young 2 Scientist of the Year the SRC only associates with wastewater treatment systems that are economically friendly and safe for the Youngster’s Shine in 3 environment. The SRC systems National Awards produce very low sludge that is stabilized and safe for discarding and SRC’s Conference 4 produce treated water that can be safely 2012 returned to the environment - perfect Spotlight– SRC’s 5 for irrigation purposes. The systems by Moments design are aesthetically pleasing and dependent on the type of system chosen Lemongrass Feature 6 and the purpose, may have the additional advantage of producing “Get rid of you waste and biogas that can be utilized for cooking save” with one of SRC’s or electricity – saving you a lot of wastewater systems. Call us money in the future. Getting started on at 977-2192/927-1771-4 ext: your system the SRC will first conduct 2254 to explore which a feasibility study to identify the perfect system is right for you or system for you and determine the size; email Ms. Gianne Scarlett at construction of the system then takes giannes@src-jamaica.org . place. If you so Biodigester Septic Tank (BST ™) under condesire, the SRC gives you an additional opportunity to save by using your own construction team which of course would be supervised by our technical team.

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Dr. Charah Watson — Young Scientist of the Year

Dr. Charah Watson during her presentation. A graduate of Excelsior High School, the University of the West Indies, past teacher at Tivoli High School –PhD holder in Organic Chemistry and Natural Products – Dr. Charah Watson is not only the intelligent, but incredibly humble and talented young lady who walked away with the Scientific Research Council’s Young Scientist/Technologist Award for 2012. She copped the prestigious award at the SRC’s 2 nd Biennial Conference and 3rd International Conference Caribbean WELCOME Project held under the theme “Science and Technology Driving Development: Competitive Edge

Dr. Charah Watson receives SRC’s Young for Caribbean Entities in Scientist Trophy from Dr. Trevor Yee who November 2012. Dr. Watson supervised her research. who along with a small technical team has been promoting the development of several products including nutritional supplements, herbal teas, sports drink utilizing Jamaica’s indigenous resources was awarded for development of a special porridge from local produce - yam and sweet potato. while driving the SME sector. The porridge is rich in antioxidants which play a very important role in According to Dr. Watson “with the global nutraceuticals market preventing degenerative diseases. projected to exceed US $243 billion Dr. Watson’s work also has by 2015, a one percent (15) share of potential to benefit the economy of the industry translates to US$ 2.43B Jamaica, as exploitation of or J$221.1B - a major economic Jamaica’s plant resources will and sustainable opportunity for stimulate economic activity by Jamaica.” creating jobs in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors; promote Establish in 1990 the SRC’s Young non-traditional export; facilitate Scientist/Technologist award is in import substitution and stimulate direct support of the SRC’s mandate which implements projects entrepreneurship, with the potential to assist in the economic and social development of Jamaica. The award encourages young people within the field of Science and Technology whose work have potential to benefit the economic development of Jamaica. Details and of the award can be garnered from the SRC’s website: www.src.gov.jm . Dr. Watson conducting

research in laboratory.

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Youngster’s Shine in SRC’s National Awards If at some point you had doubts about the future of Jamaica - plagued by thoughts of economic s ustainability, energy management and food security - one visit to the National Schools Oratorical Competition held at the SRC would persuade you to think otherwise. Listening to the

Students pose with their certificates at the end of the School’s Oratorical Competition.

argumentative speeches of 18 students, grades 7-13, who represented high schools from across Jamaica would convince you that the future will indeed be in capable hands. The Scientific Research Council’s National Schools Oratorical Competition has been in existence for eight years allowing students to present orally on topical issues of national importance as it relates to Science & Technology. The competition usually involves the participation of senior high school students but for the first time in 2012, included students in Grades 7-9. Students who wish to participate, are asked to submit an electronic version of their speech, which is screened for content and effectiveness, including relevance to the topic, effective use of language, and persuasiveness. The theme for 2012 was: “Waste to energy: the need, opportunity and feasibility”, for which thirty nine (39) entries from across the island

were received. The top three speeches were selected from each region (eastern, central and western), and thus the top nine (9) students presented their speech at the Scientific Research Council. Denbigh High School emerged as winner in both grade level categories. Sashay Smikle and Michael Lewis won the Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-13 categories respectively. Winners of this competition are given an opportunity to complete an internship at UWI CARIMAC to further hone their oral communication skills.

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www.src.gov.jm Held in collaboration with the Caribbean WELCOM E Project, Conference 2012 was in fact a special event as it was a combination of two conferences; the 2 nd Biennial Science and Technology Conference and the 3rd International Conference – Caribbean WELCOME Project. Held under the theme “Science and Technology driving development: Competitive edge for Caribbean Entities”.

SRC’s Conference 2012

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icons in and technology.

science

In seeking to drive home the pressing need for a more innovative society the Conference featured a number of high profile speakers including outstanding innovator Mr. Robert Rashford, a world renowned Jamaican Mr. Robert Prof. Cardinal N A S A Aerospace Rashford addresses Warde during his Engineer who is also a question at presentation at founder, President and Conference 2012. Conference 2012. CEO of Genesis Caribbean businesses an edge in Engineering solutions Inc. and a very competitive global Prof. Cardinal Warde, Optical An objective of the conference was market. This objective was Neural-Network expert and to provide a forum where regional indeed satisfied. Given that Professor of Electrical Engineering and international business persons, Caribbean countries are too at the Massachusetts Institute of p o l i c y m a k e r s , p l a n n e r s , small to achieve “economies of Technology (MIT). entrepreneurs and academia could scale”, serious thoughts were Highlights of Conference 2012 can meet to articulate their views g i v e n t o i n n o v a t i o n , be viewed at the Scientific towards finding ways to give cooperation, advocacy and Research Council’s website: much greater utilization of sci- www.src.gov.jm . ence and technology.

Junior Min. in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson and Chairman of the SRC, Melissa McHargh, cut ribbon to officially open the Conference 2012 exhibition.

Conference 2012 looked at key issues facing science, technology, innovation and business in the Caribbean and explored topics such as: Barriers facing Caribbean businesses; Products of SRC’s clients on Commercialization of research display at Conference 2012 results: Technology, innovation and research impacting the bottom-line; Euro-Pacific models for l i n k i n g business with research; Success of Cross section of audience at the Opening C a r i b b e a n Ceremony of Conference 2012.

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Spotlight — SRC’s Moments

MARKETECH LTD OPEN HOUSE 2012 SRC’s EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AWARD In December 2012 Marketech Ltd. the marketing arm of the Scientific CONGRATULATIONS MELECIA SENIOR Research Council staged a three week-long Open House to encourage Melecia Senior, 3ed year student in the Department of Science & entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to Environmental Education at the Shortwood Teachers’ College, invest in unique business opportunities .The Open House which took the receives trophy from Mrs. Doreen Dietrich, Team Leader of Popularisation, SRC at a ceremony held by the SRC at the college format of an exhibition and sampling session featured lemongrass/ginger lotion and body wash and food products developed by the to recognize excellence in Science.

SRC . Here Gianne Scarlett , Marketing Research Officer, provides pertinent information and guidance to a client interested in the services of the SRC.

PROCLAMATION CEREMONY 2012 Mr. Hawthorne Watson (right), Acting Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council receives Proclamation to declare the month of November as Science and Technology Month from His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, the Governor General of Jamaica at a ceremony held at the King’s House. Above, right: Tiffany Laughton Process Development Officer vexplains the process of the Pilot Plant to students of Mona High at the SRC Open Day. Below, right: Students of Papine High School view SRC’s corporate video during the SRC Open Day.

SRC’s OPEN DAY 2012

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“Making

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Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 1-10 Date: January 2013 Published by Marketech Ltd.

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