Thirty-three schools participated in the annual Regional Science, Mathematics and Technology fair in Region Two last Friday, which saw Lima and Anna Regina (nursery), Riverstown and CV Nunes (primary) and 8th of May, Anna Regina Multilateral and Cotton Field (secondary) winning the top prizes.
The fair was held under the theme: ‘Science, Mathematics and Technology for Sustainable Global Development’, at the Cotton Field Secondary School.
In an overview, District Education Officer (Secondary) Marcel Hudson told the gathering that the event could be described as the preparatory phase of the national science fair and ultimately an international or Caribbean one.
He said the aims of the event are to popularize science, mathematics and technology in schools and the wider society and sensitize the youths towards the solving and inquiry approach. It also aims to build students’ confidence in applying Science to bring about social and behavioral changes for development and industrial and technology innovations and to emphasize the importance of mathematical skills. The event allows students to meet, discuss and display exhibits and it fosters greater regional integration and team work.
“It is therefore extremely important for teachers and students to demonstrate the kind of creativity, innovativeness and imagination that will result in international recognition to the school and our society at large,” he said.
Regional Education Officer Dennis Jaikarran commended Hudson and his team for planning and executing the event smoothly. He also praised the teachers and head teachers for allowing and encouraging the students to do the necessary research to make their projects successful. Jaikarran also took the opportunity to inform the gathering that the new dates for the Grade Six Assessment are April 11 and 12. He advised that schools with canteens should be closed on those dates to avoid the disturbances that occurred at last year’s sitting of the Common Entrance exam. “It seems as though some teachers within the region are unclear about what their duties entail, but be warned that we are going to take the bull by the horns,” he said. Deputy Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker declared the event open with greetings from the regional administration and informed the gathering that once young minds are still ticking, all is not lost.
Exhibits included food, shells, coconut and indigenous creations as well as various forms of innovative technology from the secondary schools. The entries were judged in two categories – oral presentation and the display of exhibits.
