Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) Science and Technology Exposition opens tomorrow
published: Wednesday | February 27, 2008
This group of students at the inaugural Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd/Scientific Research Council Science Fair of 2003 explains a cost-effective method of backyard fish farming to an intrigued audience in Montego Bay, St James. Many other schools at the event operated booths which displayed high levels of creativity and ingenuity in the application of science.
- Contributed
The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) Science and Technology Exposition 2008, the only one of its kind in the nation, opens with the first of three regional expos in Mandeville tomorrow.
The expo involves a display of inventions and innovations, created by preparatory/primary, secondary and tertiary students, as well as independent entrants.
The event seeks to give science students an opportunity to experiment and explore scientific applications and models which are displayed in the regional expos in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston. Top achievers from these regional expos will participate in the national finals to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday May 19, in Kingston.
The expo, which was previously titled the JPS Science Fair, was conceived in 2003 when the light and power company sought to stimulate a greater interest in science and its role in national development.
The company said in a release that the name has been changed "in recognition of the growth and expansion of the event over the years, including an overall increase in cash prizes and awards; the addition of national finals (as of 2007); and the addition of a special category in the exposition titled, 'Best Illustration of Energy Use'."
Impressive innovations
Over the last five years, a number of impressive innovations have come to the fore, including a mulching evaluation process, which was devised by Bethlehem Moravian College in 2007; a fire-resistant emergency shelter, which was created by Denham Town Primary in 2007; and Biogas from Yam, engineered by St Mary's High School in 2006.
Other interesting displays have included: demonstrations of cooking with solar heat; using plastic to make electricity and craft products; a plethora of by-products from Dasheen, such as cheese, flour and fertiliser; ackee lotion and face cream; and the production of insect repellents../
Expo locations and dates
Mandeville
Golf View Hotel
Thurs., February 28
51/2 Caledonia Road
Montego Bay
Wexford Hotel
Thurs., April 10
Gloucester Avenue
Kingston
Knutsford Court Hotel
Wed., April 30
11 Ruthven Road
Kingston 10
National finals
(Kingston)
Jamaica Pegasus hotel
81 Knutsford
Monday, May 19
Boulevard,
New Kingston
The public is invited to view the exhibits between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Admission is free.
