unlocking Students’ Skills and Abilities
During the past few weeks, students from across the country ranging from nursery to secondary schools showcased numerous projects which captivated fellow students and onlookers as part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). This year, the STEAM Fairs were being held under the theme: “Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics paving the way for a sustainable society.” Several events were staged in various regions across Guyana. According to Deputy Education Officer of Region Four, Jeanne Jeffrey, once developed, the initiative can be used to tackle some of the challenges faced in Guyana.
She was at the time addressing the STEAM Fair earlier this month, which opened at Queen’s College. “This combination of disciplines, once effectively used, can solve many of our environmental and community problems that plague our society today,” Jeffrey says.
The Region Four (4) Fair was launched on Monday March 5, at the Diamond Secondary School. The two-day fair which concluded on Tuesday March 6, saw the participation of some 47 schools representing nursery, primary and secondary levels, competing in 27 categories
Students competed in the Lower Secondary in Home Economics, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Social and Behavioural Change and Mathematics. In the Upper Secondary they matched skills in Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Mathematics, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while in the Nursery Category, students competed in Craft and Environmental Science and Science and Mathematics, and in the primary category, the categories were Mathematics, Craft and Visual Arts, Environmental Science and Science.
A collective future
Participating schools were challenged to create a project reflecting the theme. During the launch, students attending and participating in the STEAM fair 2018, were urged to be inquisitive in order to pave the way for a green and sustainable society. Coordinator of the fair, Loren Park, said that the fair is used as a platform to showcase students’ skills and abilities, and also provides an opportunity for a collective future with a shared destiny.
In the 2016 Edition of the competition, President’s College was second while Annandale Primary took the third position. Diamond Secondary was the winner.
This year however, Annandale Primary bested host Diamond Secondary to take home the top prize at the biennial Region Four Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair.
According to a statement from the Region Four Regional Democratic Council’s Public Relations Department, Annandale Primary’s Mathematics project was adjudged the overall winner. Second place overall was awarded to former champions Diamond Secondary, while first-time competitor Lancaster Secondary was third.
Region 2
Students of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were not left out as they presented a series of witty projects during their event.
The competition, which was held at the Cotton Field Secondary School on March 7 and 8, garnered participation from 26 schools resulting in excess of 50 projects being presented. Many of the projects focused on sustainable development, oil and gas, and promoting a greener society.
Innovation
Amongst the impressive presentations was Abram Zuil Secondary which showcased a neem, garlic and pepper project, and Wakapoa Secondary innovated a way to rid the Pomeroon River of debris. Abram Zuil’s neem, garlic and pepper project was aimed at eradicating pest infestations and reducing air, water and land pollution. Meanwhile, Wakapoa Secondary, which is located in the Pomeroon riverine area, opted to work on a project that hits close to home. The inventive students have thought up a way to systematically clean the Pomeroon River and by extension any river in the country. Students noted that they selected this project due to the massive amounts of pollution in the river, causing it to be clogged on occasions. The ‘Marine cleaner’ is powered by a renewable energy source.
Lima Nursery came out on top of the Nursery category, while CV Nunes took away the first prize in the Primary category for their Mathematics project. In the Secondary category, Anna Regina Multilateral, Abram Zuil Secondary and Wakapoa Secondary copped the top spots. There was also an open category in which Essequibo Technical Institute presented two projects.
The Coordinator of the event, Deodat Singh, explained that the fair ran smoothly and was a success. “Yes, it was a success. The theme was paving the way for a green society and all our projects were focused on the theme,” he stated. Singh said too that he was proud of the work that the students in the region had done, noting that they are ready and rearing to journey to Georgetown for the National STEAM Competition in April. “We are ready; we are hoping to take at least 10 projects to Georgetown for the national competition.”
Region 3
The Department of Education Region Three held its 2018 Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair the Leonora Secondary School on March 8th,
Prior to the exhibits being viewed, the day’s activities began with an opening ceremony which was chaired by a teacher, Mr. Julian Cambridge. Delivering the feature address and declaring the Fair open was Regional Education Officer (REdO), Ms. Annesta Douglas.
According to Ms. Douglas, the hosting of the STEAM Fair is setting the stage to further develop Guyana. She said that the children’s participation in the event exposes them to a number of scientific methods.
The REdO encouraged the students to be explorers whereby they are always looking for new and innovative ways to solve the problems that exist in society.
Skills enhancement
Further, she said that children stand to benefit tremendously through their participation. Among the many benefits are that children will gain additional knowledge, improve their speaking and writing skills which will enhance their self-confidence.
Ms. Douglas highlighted that much has changed over the years whereby technology has evolved. She said that these changes are an indication as to how the world is moving. She urged the students from the nursery, primary and secondary levels to think outside the box when attempting to solve society’s problems. Some of the exhibits addressed the issue of recycling, using renewable energy to produce electricity and woodwork.
Region 10
The Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Department of Education on March 6th, presented its leg of the biennial Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair.
This year, the Arts have been incorporated into the event, which showcases the innovative skills of students and teachers from schools at every level. Region 10’s exhibition was hosted at the Wisburg Secondary School, Wismar, Linden and featured a host of presentations by students.
Speaking during the opening ceremony for the event, outgoing Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland said he was impressed with the quality of work displayed by the various schools, as he encouraged students to continue to be creative ,”dream big”, step out, invent, and achieve great things.
Trailblazers
Holland, in sharing his own experiences, further gave encouragement to all to inspire young creative minds to “think outside the box” and become active trailblazers.
In an overview of the ever-evolving event, District Education Officer (Nursery) Shivon Greene-Brewster said the objective of the exhibitions has always been to stimulate young minds to analyse and evaluate situations with the aim of exposing students to critical thinking skills.
Meanwhile, District Education Officer (Primary) Lashanna Anderson said the activity formed part of the strategy to promote Science and Technology, provide the opportunity for students and teachers to showcase, disseminate and share knowledge relating to these fields.
District Education Officer (Secondary) Sonia Fraser-Pearce said the Fair provided an opportunity for creativity as well as the showcasing and sharing of knowledge and skills. The national STEAM Fair will be hosted in Georgetown from April 3- 6, where the winners from these events will be given an opportunity to participate. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
