Sci-TechKnoFest

Sci-TechKnoFest 2011 - iCreate, iInnovate, iSustain, was a mind blowing experience. The festival was held at the National Science Centre, D'Abadie over the period May 2nd-15th, 2011. It aimed to change visitors' world view and empower them to make more informed choices, act more socially responsible, and have the confidence to utilise advances in science and technology towards sustainable living in the 21st century.

What Did We Feature?

Power Your World Naturally - Visitors were: challenged with questions on global energy and environmental issues; received practical lessons on how to improve their carbon footprint; partied on a sustainable dance floor; and witnessed "greenergy" at work.

Nature versus Your World - The "Red Alert" exhibition, "The Hurricane Immersion Centre", displays and activities by the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) and The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services (TTMS) contributed to a thought-provoking and engaging experience on natural disasters which help to spur attitudinal changes.

Your World Needs Water - Although the competition for water as a productive resource intensifies with development, visitors saw clearly that they could contribute to water and ecological sustainability through water conservation and sound management of our watersheds and watercourses.

Guard Your World - Model cars were provided to test concentration and show the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol, tiredness, and high speed. From the road safety exhibits, visitors were taken on an exciting adventure along our natural gas lines in the forest, where they emerged better informed about various animals and plants and definitely more safety conscious.

Sustain Your World - Visitors explored through exhibits and displays how healthy forests, reduction in their carbon footprint, ecosystems, human well-being and national development are all interlinked.

Grow Your World - On display were innovative ways that empowered individuals to become food secure regardless of the space available for production. Systems showcased included grow boxes, the verti-gro system and tropical greenhouses.

Innovate and Create Your World - Creativity is central to innovation and invention. This area allowed visitors to tap into their innate creativity by learning how to bring characters to life using the software "Animation Comes Alive" then venturing through the archives of inventions created by local innovators and inventors, followed by simulations of how to manipulate matter at an unseen level in "Nano World"; and much more.

The Creativity Centre - In this fascinating area, expert artisans guided visitors to create edible art and beaded crafts while "The Design Challenge" demanded and developed higher-level thinking to creative problem solving. "The Brain Rush" engaged visitors in activities to develop the brain muscle and "The Creative Workshop" taught crafts/skills to budding entrepreneurs. Most popular with persons of all ages was "Virtual World" which gave visitors a unique immersive experience of the amazing world of holograms, 3D and virtual reality and gesture recognition technology.

Your World Rocks - Visitors had fun exploring the science of sound and composing their own music. "The Evolution of Pan" exhibit took visitors through the rhythmic journey of the steel pan and its genesis.

Other Attractive Exhibits - "Gamers World" was filled with computer based-simulation games such as Xbox Kinect, Play Station 3 Move and Nintendo Wii amongst many others. "Experiment with your world" allowed visitors to appreciate the nano scale. "Kiddies' World" exposed the under 7's age group to creativity and entrepreneurship, as they learnt to recycle materials to make various works of art which could generate wealth.

Your World on the Red Carpet - The TechKno Theatre was a major hit with visitors who came over and over again to see outstanding performances on the 'big stage'. These shows included:

  • David Price from Science made simple in the U.K: "Cartoon Science"
  • Alwyn Gordon and Company presents: "Big Things from Small Things"
  • Necessary Arts presents: "Imperiled Waters"
  • Brown Cotton Theatre Ensemble presents: "Jo.0"
  • ICCM puppet troupe presents: "Bring it on" and "Waste Not, Want Not"
  • Crazy Catholic and the DC Shell Theatre presents: "The Future of Food"
  • JJ and Friends
  • EMA Eco Ambassadors
  • EMA's Eco- Song Finalists.