STUDENTS PARADE INNOVATIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Brilliant young minds from across Jamaica converged at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, on June 12,
to showcase an array of innovations. The event was the 2018 staging of the Young Inventors/ Innovators Competition, hosted by the Scientific Research Council (SRC), and sponsored by the Sustainable Youth Employment in Digital and Animation Industries (YEDAI) project. Over 30 projects were displayed, ranging from eco-friendly cleaners and pesticides, to next generation fuel and battery powered devices for houses. The collaboration of the two entities was the product of a mutual desire to develop a culture of innovation among our youth, harnessing and guiding their diverse talents and intellect towards creation of products of national value. The Young Inventors/Innovators Competition provided the ideal platform to foster creativity and problem-solving skills among students, as it encourages an appreciation of key scientific and technological principles and methods that are crucial to the development process. Dr. Cliff Riley, Executive Director of the SRC, during the event, highlighted the importance of investing in our youth for a secure future, whilst commending them for their innovative demonstrations.
He stated that based on what he saw; he is “convinced that Jamaica will not have a problem coming up with solutions to current and future challenges”.
According to Dr. Riley, “one of the roles of the SRC is to impart the importance of science to national development and it is through research, innovation and development that Jamaica will become a prosperous country”. Ms. Margery Newland, Project Manager of YEDAI also lauded the efforts of the young innovators at the event. She was heartened by the student’s energy, imagination and creativity which she said were necessary for future success. She too stated that Jamaica was in very good hands as was witnessed from the variety, ingenuity and the number of projects submitted. Speaking directly to the students she stated “you guys are going to take us through success after success after success”.
The competition saw twenty-four participating schools which presented thirty-six projects under the thematic areas of education, agriculture, food and agro-processing, energy, ICT and electronics (with special focus on cyber security) and health and safety. The first place winners in each category were: Seaview Gardens Primary with their project ‘So-Real’: a sorrel-based rust and stain remover; Vere Technical High with their project ‘Solar Generator’ made from recyclable materials, that can power a small house; and Northern Caribbean University and their ‘Herbal Tonic’ that boosts the immune system by fighting bacterial and viral infections. In addition to a trophy and certificates of participation from the SRC, other items were awarded. These included: drones, smart watches, Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth speakers, tablets, android boxes, power banks, flash drives, and cash towards further development of their projects. Teachers of winning projects were also awarded gift packages, gift certificates and day passes.
Special awards were also offered to Kingston Technical for the Most Environmentally Friendly Innovation, Herbert Morrison Technical for the Most Innovative, Northern Caribbean University for the Best Commercial Application and Vere Technical High School for the Best Use of Technology. The Young Inventors/Innovators Competition which is open to the public serves as a learning environment showcasing the application of science and technology from students as well as local companies. In addition to financial support of the YEDAI Project of Ministry of Science, Energy & Technology, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, other partners of the 2018 Young Inventors/ Innovators Competition included: Coldax Mart Ltd., Collins Books and More, Kingston Bookshop, Adam & Eve Day Spa, Wisynco Group Limited, Lifespan Spring Water, Radioshack Jamaica and Facey Group.