INVOCAB | NIHERST

NIHERST hosted a two day Science, Technology and Innovation in Education Symposium on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd November 2017, at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre in Port of Spain. This event marked the close of the European Union funded INVOCAB project. This three-year initiative was executed in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council of Jamaica and was created to improve teachers’ capacities in science education, as well as to implement an innovation framework in selected schools in the Caribbean. The two day symposium was full of exciting activities and informative sessions for teachers, students and stakeholders in the education community.

The project’s 2017 Innovation Competition Awards ceremony took place on Tuesday November 21st. Thirteen entries were on display from participating primary and secondary schools and they all addressed the issue of climate change. Schools’ Science Clubs were asked to present a solution to a problem in their school or community that would aid in mitigating the effects of climate change. In the Secondary Schools category, St. Augustine Secondary School emerged as the winners with their innovative solution to reduce harmful vehicle emissions entitled “Clean Ride”. In the Primary School category, Santa Rosa Government Primary School took home 1st place with their “One Stop Shop Climate Change Website" which showcased their recycling efforts and offered helpful tips on how to be more earth friendly.

Professor Emeritus Winston Mellowes, Chairman of the NIHERST Board of Governors highlighted the need to further integrate Science and Technology into the primary and secondary school curriculum. This he said would encourage students to “look around with the curious eyes of scientists, to identify problems, and work towards practical, viable solutions” that can make a difference within their school, community, and the country. He also delivered a very insightful presentation on the importance of informal science education which allows persons to think critically and experience science in a real-life setting. He identified science centres/museums, zoos and botanical gardens as places that engage the public with science.

The INVOCAB project was also supported by the Technische Universität Dresden of Dresden, Germany, the Ministry of Education (Trinidad and Tobago), the Ministry of Education (Jamaica), the Mico University College (Jamaica), Church Teachers’ College (Jamaica), The University of Technology (Jamaica) and other stakeholders.

Primary Schools:

1st Place - Santa Rosa Gov. Primary School "One Stop Shop Climate Change Website"
2nd Place - Malabar Gov. Primary School "Water On The Go"
3rd Place - San Juan Boys R.C. School "Solar Powered Toy Car & Cell Phone Charger"