SSTS Newsletter July - September 2013

SSTS X@axãá _xààxÜ

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 1

volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER

volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

A

In this issue SSTS Team attends CYSF Explosive Science Summer i3 Innovation Competition winners CYSF Testimonials

SSTS TEAM REPRESENTS JAMAICA AT CYSF

Jamaican delegation comprising a team of six(6) including a chaperone was sent off to Trinidad and Tobago by the Scientific Research Council to participate in this year’s Caribbean Youth Science Forum (CYSF) 2013.

The Forum is a regional event hosted by the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) based in Trinidad and Tobago.

The First batch of the returning Jamaician delegation to CYSF with Mrs.R.Chin-Johnson (PETROCARIBE) AND Ms.K.Curtis (SRC)

The Forum aims to: -develop innovative informal approaches and strategies to strengthen Science & Technology education in the region, -foster cooperation among Caribbean

countries in Science & Technology, popularisation -encourage the pursuit of careers in Science and Technology, promote interaction with regional and international scientists, -and develop lasting friendships with students in other countries.

The Forum this year saw over 180 students from Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago participating in the six (6) days of activities including lectures and discussions, a Design Challenge, socializing with scientists, a culture showcase, and field trips.

The Jamaican delegation was pulled from the winners of the SRC’s schools Annual Oratorical Competition and were represented by Michael Lewis (Denbigh High), Curtis Moxam (Manning’s High) Nashon Mitchell (Ardenne High), Shavaniese Arnold (Westwood High), Tka Walker (Hampton School) and chaperone, Ms. Alexine Thomas- Science teacher at Denbigh High.

Full flights from Trinidad and Tobago due to the Caribbean Premier League matches resulted in the team returning home on two dates Monday August 12 and Thursday August 15. The team had high praises for the sponsors who invested in them - the SRC, Petrojam, Petrocaribe Development Fund, and the Sandals International group. They expressed their profound gratitude for the opportunity to represent Jamaica while enriching their intellectual development.

The team members described the forum and experience as, “life changing”, “eye-opening”, and “extraordinarily fun”, and encouraged other students to try to participate in forums like this one.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION UNIT: Telephone: (876) 927-1771-4 Fax: (876) 927-0806 Email: ssts.src@gmail.com Editor: Ms. Felicia Bailey Page 1

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 2

volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

EXPLOSIVE Science Summer

Investigating chemical changes was pure fun and excitement for Grade five (5) summer school students at St. Andrew Primary, Alpha Primary, and Holy Childhood Preparatory as they prepare for their GSAT program.

The schools were visited by the Science and Technology Education Unit as part of its Annual Summer Science Camp Tours.

Summer Tours took place between July 10 and 23 and saw the unit visiting three (3) summer schools in the corporate area.

Ma Co and

The experience began with an interactive session on general science safety rules in preparation for the experiments they were about to conduct.

These students were huddled filling As the experiments progressed students grasped the concepts of answers in the Student’s Lab Book. chemical changes very quickly and had little or no difficulty using the equipment provided by the SRC for the experiments. Equipment included dropper pipettes, thermometers, and measuring spoons.

As excitement bubbled among the students Coordinator of the Unit Kerry-Ann Curtis (Aunty Kerry) guided them through experiments in the Chemical Changes Student lab book.

The Holy Childhood Prep. students got a little extra ‘wow’ when Aunty Kerry, turned ‘water’ into ‘juice’ and back to ‘water’ by just pouring from one cup to the next; part of a demonstration showing how changes in colour could indicate chemical changes.

Still the most exciting experiment for the students was ‘The Grand Finale’. In this experiment they observed temperature changes and aluminium foil being burnt as it reacted with Copper II Sulphate and Sodium Chloride (table salt).

Students and teachers alike where very happy and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to do these hands-on experiments which could not be covered during the regular Primary Level curriculum sessions.

Ma fro

Th CS

Tea wh to stu

He fac em

He ap

Students conducting an experiment.

One group of students working hard on the task at hand.

Page 2

Aunty Kerry reading instructions to the students..

Top be Co

m.

e

re

of ng s,

em

ack

ese

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 3

WHO WON???? volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

i3 Innovation Competition

May Day High and Northern Caribbean University(NCU) emerged winners of the recently concluded i3 Competition hosted by The Business Lab in partnership with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and corporate sponsors. The finals were held on the grounds of the SRC on August 23, 2013.

This is the second staging of the competition, its first staging was in 2012 where the competition featured only High school teams.

I3 stands for ‘Innovation, Ideas, Ingenuity’ and according to The Business Lab, “the competition seeks to put focus squarely on the importance of idea creation and the possibilities that can develop from the seeds of innovation that are planted in the minds of young people”.

The winning teams NCU( Royal Blue) and May Day High (gold) pose with mentors and Teams from High Schools and Tertiary institutions across the island were screened by a panel of judges who selected teacher from May Day , Ms. Henley (Centhe top ten High School Teams and the top five(5) Tertiary tre). level teams.

May Day’s winning idea is an “easy to use, easy to install device” expected to allow users to benefit from lower energy costs without the “hassle” of manual controls.

The NCU Team’s winning idea in the Tertiary category, seeks to aid students studying for GSAT and CSEC through games on one of the most used social media platforms; Facebook.

Team leader of the NCU Team, George Henry says the idea came from a realisation that many students who are versed in technology especially social media are still underperforming in simple tasks related to Information technology (a subject he teaches at the CSEC level). He theorised that this was because students saw current learning software as boring in contrast to the exciting social media platforms.

He along with team members Raynard Henry and Daina Duncan with much help and guidance from facilitator Kenri Hylton (Department of Computer and Information Science Chairman at The NCU) embarkedon this project with a vision to “aid students in learning , while having fun”.

He says the innovation will not be limited to Facebook but will also be extended to stand-alone applications on mobile devices.

Top performers from the competition are expected to be entered in the Minister’s Innovation awards to be held later this year, as well as benefit from guidance by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and The Business Lab. Page 3

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 4

volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

CYSF Testimonials

My favorite moment at C.Y.S.F. was when the thought hit me that we have the great responsibility of piloting our future in the correct direction. This feeling was not burdensome, but empowering and uplifting to know that such faith and respect was given unto us by our seniors. This was overwhelmingly humbling and strengthening.

I also really enjoyed meeting the vibrant and diverse culture of Trinidad. The students at CYSF were the “crème de la crème” and it was a pleasure to meet and converse with them and share in their food for thought and great ideas for future milestones.

The Caribbean Youth Science Forum has left an invaluable mark upon my life, making me have a more passionate connection with the exceptional field of Science and Technology. This outstanding forum has given me a stronger realization of the diversity and mammoth importance of all aspects of science and technology whether it may be in medicine, engineering, geology, astronomy among many others. My field of vision has been enlarged drastically as I can now see more avenues for upward mobility in this world of science and technology; Because of this, in this very moment I am spiritually attached to this field.

Science may seem hard but everything looks complex. It only takes mental strength to realize that everything that looks complex is made up of very very simple units put together. Enjoy your life, and appreciate every experience, good and bad, for they make life more interesting and make you the star you were made to be.

Nashon K.J. Mitchell - Student , Ardenne High School

Jamaic’s CYSF delegation. (left to right) Michael , Tka Walker, Nashon Mtchell, Shavaniese Arnold, and Curtis Moxam many

CYSF surpassed my expectations as I didn't expect to form such a loving family with the other participants over such a short period of time. One particular memory of my experience that is still stuck in my mind is when we did our skit presentation on Caribbean night. It was entitled “Home and Abroad” and there was applause even before we started and that is a feeling that I don't believe can ever be recreated.

On the “Meet the scientists” night I learned so much.

There were literally many professions that I didn't know existed. To be able to learn in such an enriching environment was priceless. I wish it didn't have to end.

This experience has changed my life and has heightened my awareness and appreciation for the

scientific fields out there.

I wish all students had the opportunity I had to be a part of such a Forum because the rewards are unbelievable. And to students out there who say that Science is hard - I would like you to know that it is your ability to overcome all of life's challenges that will make you successful.

I have to extend many thanks to the SRC and all the other sponsors who made this experience possible. You surely will be blessed by God.

Tka Walker – Student , Hampton High School

Page 4

N

Lo M

A -T o -T

A S Lo

at ng. me

en

ch-

ng

to

nd

h. ow

nd.

o

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 5

Science and Technology Month 2013 volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013 volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

November is Science and Technology Month.

Look out for activities that will be happening during the Month.

Activities include: -Tours for students in Industries, companies and organisations -The Scienctific Research Council’s Open Day

Activities will take place accross the island to celebrate Science and Technology.

Look out for Bulletins for activities you can be apart of.

u

Page 5

CANDIDS

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 6

volume 4, Issue 2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2013

The CYSF delegates at the airport after their return flight

Assembling a trebucet at CYSF Design Challenge.

Experimenting at Holychildhood Prep

The UWI- Heart Alert team preparing for their final presentation at the i3 Finals.

Spying through a magnifying glass at Holychildhood Prep

Page 6

2nd quarter NEWSLETTER_2nd Quarter Newsletter 10/11/2013 9:21 AM Page 7