Students representing the winning schools in the JPSCo Region 3 Science Fair display their trophies. From left, Lashan Stewart of William Knibb High with the third place trophy and $10,000; Delano Smith of Barracks Road Primary that won the 'Most Indigenous' trophy and $15,000; Elroy Williams of Maud McLeod in second place and $20,000; Tova Anderson of Barracks Road Primary with the first place trophy and $30,000; and Kathrona Sparks of York Castle High School that won the 'Most Innovative' trophy and $15,000.
WESTERN BUREAU:
BARRACKS ROAD Primary School emerged the toast of the recent Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) Region 3 Science Fair, in Montego Bay, walking away with the trophy and cash award of $30,000 for their exhibit.
Their submission was on: 'Utilising Local Resources in the Manufacturing of Goods for Export and Local Consumption'.
Maud McLeod Comprehensive High and the William Knibb Memorial High, which placed second and third, received $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Maud McLeod's exhibit was entitled 'Backyard Fish Farming Utilising Our Untapped Resource for Sustainable, Environ-mentally Friendly Socio-Economic Survival', while William Knibb Memorial High focused on 'Honey, The Energy For Economic Development.'
EFFORTS
The teachers of the three top schools were also rewarded, receiving $5,000 each for their efforts in preparing the students for the Science Fair.
In the sectional category, Barracks Road Primary emerged as the top school in the Primary/Preparatory Category, while Muschett Comprehensive High School won in the High Schools (Grades 7-9) Category. Maud McLeod also won for High Schools (Grades 10-11).
All three schools received microscopes valued at $8,000 each.
The Region 3 Science Fair, which was held under the theme, 'Science and Technology for Economic Development: Technology Driven Agriculture and Agro-Processing', is part of JPSCo's efforts to be more responsive to the growing requests for tours and information on the company's power plants and distribution and transmission operations.
This increasing interest is as a result of schools seeking to fulfil the requirements of the CXC School Based Assessment component of the science syllabus.
"I am very impressed at your efforts, your creativity and the high quality of your exhibits," said Dr. Audia Barnett, executive director for the Scientific Research Council (SRC), who was the guest speaker at the Science Fair.
"What I see displayed here today, assures me that there is a future for the country as far as self-employment is concerned."
Maurice Reid, Manager for Community Relations at JPSCo, said that the power company was pleased to have played an integral role in this initiative and that the company remains committed to the development of education in Jamaica.
Ten schools from St. James, St. Ann, Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland participated in the Science Fair, which was the final in the 2003 series sponsored by JPSCo in association with the SRC.
