Thirty boys from a cross-section of schools across the island are participating in the 2006 Generating Genius programme. The programme selects boys, aged 12 and over, to participate for five years. Boys are selected for the programme based on GSAT results and performance in science subjects during the school year. This year's theme is robotics and biotechnology.
Here are some of the responses from this year's participants:
ARIAN WILSON
Arian Wilson
At 13 years, Arian Wilson knows that he wants to become a marine biologist, and either study in Cuba or here in Jamaica. He feels that his second time at Generating Genius will help him to achieve this goal.
This Jamaica College student, who is on top of his form and who is awaiting results from the last semester to confirm this again, says that he is thoroughly enjoying the summer programme, and believes he has benefited from it.
"I have learnt a lot. I have learnt how to create soaps, tonics, syrups and other projects," he said in a calm but youthful voice. "It (the programme) has helped me a lot, it has helped me at school in general science, it has helped me how to present projects and also how to be a member of society."
HUGH LEWIS
Hugh Lewis
Growing up in the volatile community of Arnett Gardens for 13-year-old Hugh Lewis has not been easy, especially with his parents having to cater to his nine brothers and two sisters. He, however, is a diamond in the rough, being chosen for the Generating Genius Programme. This 81 average student of Jamaica College believes that the programme will give him exposure that will help him in the long run to make correct decisions in whatever he does. One of those things that he wants to do in the future is become an archaeologist, and he says the programme has influenced his decision.
Hugh, who is the first out of his family to achieve this excellence, has some advice for his peers. "Enjoy yourselves, however, keep yourselves intact with your school work and try to see if you can get into programmes like these, as it will benefit you in the long run and your future careers."
SHELDON REID
Sheldon Reid
Sheldon Reid is a 14-year-old from Richmond district in Manchester, who attends the Knox College. This burly teenager is enthusiastic about his time at Generating Genius, and he does not hide it. "Not a lot of
teenagers my age really get to build robots and transgenic plants," he beams, while tinkering with one of his group's robotic creations. Sheldon, who will be entering third form in September, believes that the programme will help him in school. "In third form I will be doing
electronics and this (robotics) will help me as there is a symbiosis between the two." Articulate and confident, Sheldon believes that he will be successful in the programme and in life. "I don't like to toot my own horn, but I think I've done well to reach here, by reaching here I am already a winner," he said.
KRISHNA TROWERS
Krishna Trowers
Krishna Trowers, from Kencot in Kingston, is what some would call quiet confidence. He does not show the same excitement as his associates, but he is sure of what he is learning at Generating Genius.
This soft-spoken baritone from Gaynstead High in Kingston said that the programme has shown him that there is a variety in science as well as individuals. "It (Generating Genius) has improved my interest in science so much, because I never knew it had such a wide basis," he remarked. "I have also learned how to work with people in general, how I should keep myself in doing science. It has developed me as a person and as a student in science," he said.
Krishna also believes that Jamaica stands to benefit from the programme, especially in the field of science. "The programme should improve Jamaica substantially, in terms of the number of scientists. It will show that Jamaica is a place where scientists can come out of and make it big."
JEZEEL MARTIN
Jezeel Martin
August Town will soon have a next superstar. That is if 13-year-old Jezeel Martin continues on the path he has set. This articulate young man believes that he will achieve great things, and he believes Generating Genius is assisting him.
"Staying here generally has been fun, exciting and also tiring. We have learnt how to manage our time better and Generating Genius have also helped us in making better personalities," he said. "We have not only gained knowledge, but we have learnt things to improve our lives."
Jezeel is also cognisant of the fact that his community has been experiencing trying times, and he says that this has impacted on many boys his age. "Where I come from, a reason why a lot of boys are not successful is that they have tried and people are putting them down. I have also felt that way, being called worthless, but that has not stopped me, as I can really say that they are liars."
This St. George's College second former is encouraging other boys his age to have faith in themselves, and do not blame others for their mistakes, but to persevere.
MATTHEW RICHARDS
Matthew Richards
When Matthew Richards returns to his community of Greater Portmore, and his school Spanish Town High, he will be aiming to make both a better place with the knowledge he has garnered. Matthew says that Generating Genius has taught him how to be dependable. "It has taught me how to be responsible, how to make people rely on me and how to be a team player."
Matthew also believes that Generating Genius will help him to become more accomplished in life. "I don't feel accomplished yet as a teen, but when I die I want people to remember me as someone who did something great, who invented something or produced a cure."
In the meantime, Matthew wants to make his school one of the best in the island and believes that Generating Genius will help him to do that. "I want to say to everyone out there, that Spanish Town is definitely not a bad school, and I am going to try and do my best to make the school better."
DAVID WALTERS
David Walters
'We likkle but we tallawah', is a saying well known in Jamaica. When 4-foot plus David Walters opened his mouth he justified this saying. David Walters, 12, says that the summer programme has showed him how to work with others. "It (Generating Genius), forces us to work with other persons in groups who have different personalities, as they have different ideas from yours and you have to compromise, to fit in and make a good group."
The Wolmer's Boys student believes that the programme will give him a head start for the future, and will create better persons for the future. "It is believed by many persons that girls go to university and boys don't achieve as much. There are so many boys here and what information we learn, we can go and spread it to others, and Jamaica won't be a bad place in the future, because we will be nurtured from an early stage."
David also believes that what he learns in biotechnology can be used in Jamaica to aid the agricultural sector. "Biotechnology can benefit Jamaica financially, because some of these methods can be used to get more out of crops and plants, and more of these can be produced, and they can be sold for higher prices."
JAMAR GALLOWAY
Jamar Galloway
Jamar Galloway is already reaping the benefits of participating in the Generating Genius programme. During his interview Jamar could not hide his smiles when he spoke about the phone he won after his group placed first in a competition after the first week of the programme. He aims to win the prize for the second week, and he also aims to use his experience from the programme to benefit him.
Jamar is a 13-year-old York Castle student who confesses that the programme has widened his knowledge of science. He plans to go back to his school and share this knowledge with other students interested in science.
Jamar believes that if more programmes like Generating Genius were in Jamaica, the youth would be better served and well rounded. "I think there should be other programmes like this in other fields. Not everyone appreciates bio-technology and science, but you can have programmes in English, math, and so on. I think it would help a lot of people."
