‘Unlocking potential for green societies’

By Venessa Deosaran
Coconut bi-products, puppets made from recycled juice boxes, invisible ink, and students bedecked in white coats explaining their innovations, were all highlights at the Region Four Department of Education’s biannual ‘Science, Technology and Mathematics Fair’ held at Diamond Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara.

The two-day event opened on March 13 at the school, where more than 39 nursery, primary and secondary schools exhibited projects showcasing their concepts of the fair’s theme, “Science, Mathematics and Technology: Unlocking Potentials for Green Societies.” Various primary and secondary schools across the region displayed their exhibits in the Environmental Science category, focusing on areas such as recycling and the benefits of using solar energy.
The event was aimed at building confidence and innovativeness among students. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Rayona Lyvan, a member of the science fair committee, said students benefit from such activities because it helps to build creative skills for thinking and reasoning.
Lyvan disclosed that this year saw a decrease in participants as more than 50 schools had participated in the previous fair. “It is sad to know that many schools didn’t participate this year, because the fair builds students’ creativity; helps them to use initiative and be innovative,” Lyvan lamented.
One primary school that stood out with their presentations was Montrose Primary School. Babita Dhanpaul, a Grade 2 teacher for 21 years at Montrose, said their exhibit, which focused on recycling, was put together by Grade 3 students. The students creatively used juice and biscuit boxes and old directories and paper bags to make puppets, a decorative vase and flash cards, which can be used as teaching aids.
Dhanpaul added this is their third year participating in the fair, and at the previous fair the school won the regional and national competitions for their solar energy project, and they hope to win again this year.
Alex Rohoman, a Grade 3 pupil, eloquently presented his recycling project, explaining the importance of recycling. This is his first time participating in the fair and he was excited to describe his findings to the panel of judges.
Two Grade 5 students from Montrose, Tyran Arjune and Kurt Bandoo, explained their project on ‘invisible ink’ as part of their Integrated Science project. They descriptively explained how a solution of lime, water and iodine are used to create invisible ink, which was used in the past to send secret messages.
“I’m happy to be part of the fair because it helps us to learn new things and share these findings with friends,” Arjune articulated.
The ‘Invisible Ink’ exhibition won first place in the Integrated Science category, and would be taken to the national competition to be held in Berbice in April.
Vanessa Johnson, a Grade 6 teacher at the Timehri Primary School said their project aims at highlighting the benefits of coconut bi-products.
She explained that their main objective was to showcase the value and affordability of coconut bi-products. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
By Venessa Deosaran
Coconut bi-products, puppets made from recycled juice boxes, invisible ink, and students bedecked in white coats explaining their innovations, were all highlights at the Region Four Department of Education’s biannual ‘Science, Technology and Mathematics Fair’ held at Diamond Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara.The two-day event opened on March 13 at the school, where more than 39 nursery, primary and secondary schools exhibited projects showcasing their concepts of the fair’s theme, “Science, Mathematics and Technology: Unlocking Potentials for Green Societies.” Various primary and secondary schools across the region displayed their exhibits in the Environmental Science category, focusing on areas such as recycling and the benefits of using solar energy.The event was aimed at building confidence and innovativeness among students. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Rayona Lyvan, a member of the science fair committee, said students benefit from such activities because it helps to build creative skills for thinking and reasoning.Lyvan disclosed that this year saw a decrease in participants as more than 50 schools had participated in the previous fair. “It is sad to know that many schools didn’t participate this year, because the fair builds students’ creativity; helps them to use initiative and be innovative,” Lyvan lamented.One primary school that stood out with their presentations was Montrose Primary School. Babita Dhanpaul, a Grade 2 teacher for 21 years at Montrose, said their exhibit, which focused on recycling, was put together by Grade 3 students. The students creatively used juice and biscuit boxes and old directories and paper bags to make puppets, a decorative vase and flash cards, which can be used as teaching aids. Dhanpaul added this is their third year participating in the fair, and at the previous fair the school won the regional and national competitions for their solar energy project, and they hope to win again this year.Alex Rohoman, a Grade 3 pupil, eloquently presented his recycling project, explaining the importance of recycling. This is his first time participating in the fair and he was excited to describe his findings to the panel of judges.Two Grade 5 students from Montrose, Tyran Arjune and Kurt Bandoo, explained their project on ‘invisible ink’ as part of their Integrated Science project. They descriptively explained how a solution of lime, water and iodine are used to create invisible ink, which was used in the past to send secret messages.“I’m happy to be part of the fair because it helps us to learn new things and share these findings with friends,” Arjune articulated.The ‘Invisible Ink’ exhibition won first place in the Integrated Science category, and would be taken to the national competition to be held in Berbice in April.Vanessa Johnson, a Grade 6 teacher at the Timehri Primary School said their project aims at highlighting the benefits of coconut bi-products.She explained that their main objective was to showcase the value and affordability of coconut bi-products. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)