Science and technology is important - Holness
published:
Friday | May 2, 2008
Minister of Education Andrew Holness (right) listens as Carl Daugherty (second right) of Norman Manley High School, and Dwayne Hinds (left) explain the process involved in using their solar-powered battery. They were at the Jamaica Public Service CompanyExpo in New Kingston, on Wednesday. - Contributed
Andrew Holness, minister of education, has urged teachers to help students understand the importance of learning and what it will mean for their future.
"The challenge that they will face in the next 20 years will be much greater than the challenges we are facing today," Holness told his audience Wednesday at the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd's (JPS) Science and Technology Expo at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.
The education minister also used the occasion to highlight the importance of science and technology in a country's development. "We need to start the process of innovation," he said, "All the growing countries in today's world invest heavily in science innovation."
Numerous displays
The expo, held in conjunction with the Scientific Research Council and the Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica, was the final of the three. The other expos took place in central and western Jamaica at an earlier date.
Students, from schools in Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary, mounted more than 40 displays as they competed for various category of prizes. These include Best Illustration of Energy Use; the Most Indigenous Display; and Most Innovative Display. Winners from Wednesday's expo will go on to the national finals set for Monday, May 19, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.
According to Audrey Williams, corporate communications officer at JPS, the aim of the three expositions was to support and encourage interest in science and technology.
"The idea started from the students who normally come to the JPS's office for information regarding their Electrical SBA (school-based assessment) projects, so we took the initiative to implement a programme where they can ... learn scientific information," she explained.
- Roxroy McLean
The winners
Norman Manley High School, overall winner with its solar project. The school won in the Best Illustration of Energy Use and the Most Innovative Display categories.
Second place went to Excelsior Primary with its entry, Trash for Cash, a recycling project.
St Mary High's Making Use of Nothing was good enough to fend off José Marti Technical High with its entry, Yam for the Future, for third place.
Seaview Gardens Primary won in the Most Indigenous Display category with Earth Paint, using dirt to make paint.
