Over 1,600 students benefit from JPS Foundation-sponsored UWI CAPE STEM workshop

OVER 1,600 high school students across the country benefited from the successful staging of the UWI Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) STEM workshops. This is the first time the workshops have been sponsored by the JPS Foundation.

The workshops were part of the foundation’s approximately J$16-million (US$100,000) sponsorship commitment over five years and align with one of the JPS Foundation’s main focus, science and technology education. This partnership has facilitated a reduction in the workshops ’price to students, from potentially $5,000 to $1,500, a price to be held until 2029.

The workshops were aimed at students preparing for CAPE exams in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geography, and maths. Over seven days, ending mid-January, students delved into a comprehensive programme designed to enhance their knowledge base and academic preparedness.

In addition to UWI Admissions representatives and Faculty of Science and Technology presenters, several JPS professionals, from various areas of the company, engaged with the students at the event spanning the UWI Mona campuses (Kingston and western Jamaica). They shared on topics such as career development and career opportunities at JPS, including managing the electricity grid – offering a behind-the-scenes look at how electricity is generated, distributed, and restored. They also shared insight on renewable energy, electric mobility, and decarbonisation. Additionally, students inspected an electric vehicle from the JPS fleet.

Sophia Lewis, head of the JPS Foundation, stated, “We are happy to be able to allow our students to afford this workshop. Our investment is helping high school six-formers to be able to afford to attend this one week of boot camp workshops, so they can do well in their CAPE exams.”

The JPS Foundation is the outreach arm of the Jamaica Public Service, and is focused on science and technology education, the environment and energy management.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Manager for Project eDrive, Coleen Palmer-Wright, explains the concept of electric mobility (the use of electric vehicles) to CAPE students who are sitting STEM-related subjects.

JPS digital analyst Ramon Lewis (left) explains what’s under the hood of an electric vehicle to students taking STEM-based subjects at the UWI CAPE workshops sponsored by the JPS Foundation. Also listening in is JPS Foundation officer Aundhrae Richardson (right).

JPS Foundation head Sophia Lewis (second left) poses for a photo with JPS Foundation officers Samora Bain, Aundrhae Richardson (right) and assistant control engineer at JPS, Roabl Gavel.