Patrons deemed the annual Region Four Science, Mathematics and Technology fair a success at Thursday’s closing as participants prepare for the national fair slated for Linden.
The two-day fair was held under the theme “Science, Mathematics and Technology, the Foundation for National and Global Development,” at the Bladen Hall Secondary School. Acting Assistant Chief Education Officer Melcita Bovell opened the function on March 12.
Bovell said regional science fairs are held in all eleven education districts. They are held to popularize science and help students to build and boost their problem-solving abilities and confidence in applying the sciences. The fair also focuses attention on bringing about social and behavioural changes.
The fair includes competitors from nursery to secondary schools. Primary students compete in the Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Integrated Science and Mathematics categories while lower secondary students compete in those categories along with Social and Behavioural Science, Environmental Science, Visual Arts and Craft. Upper secondary students compete in all of the above categories in addition to Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Technology. There is also a category that caters to students with Special and Peculiar Needs including physical and learning disabilities. Tertiary level students and members of the public can also compete.
After competition at the regional level concludes, all winners meet in Linden for the National Science Fair, which is a biennial event. The last national fair was held in Georgetown in 2006. The year’s national fair is slated for April 2-4 at the New Wisburg Secondary School.
