Region Four STEAM Fair opens tomorrow

The 2018 Region Four Biennial Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics [STEAM] Fair is slated to begin tomorrow [Monday March 5] at the Diamond Secondary School. The two-day fair which concludes on Tuesday [March 6], is expected to see some 47 schools representing nursery, primary and secondary levels, competing in 27 categories.

The theme for this year’s fair is ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics paving the way for a green and sustainable society’. The event is being organised and executed by the Department of Education Region Four in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council Region Four.

Coordinator of the Fair, Education Officer, Mr Loren Park, confirmed that everything is in place for the highly anticipated event. He said that while the number of participants this far stands at about 220 students, they are anticipating another seven to 10 more entries by schools. He disclosed too that Diamond Secondary leads the number of schools with 11 entries and Hope Secondary following with six.

“Diamond Secondary over the years has been one that enters a number of entries into the fair; it’s not a case that because they are the host thus the high number of entries. They are always coming out in large numbers to the science fair,” Park said.

He added, “We have Hope Secondary and Annandale Secondary following in terms of entries into the fair. What I can say is that Diamond Secondary will be seeking to retain the title that they won when the fair was last held in 2016, as the overall winner. However, from the entries that are being submitted I can assure patrons that the competition will be one that is very competitive and of a high standard.”

Meanwhile, the Fair Coordinator disclosed that while the department was successful in securing the trophies for the winning schools, prizes for various categories are still outstanding.

“We secured trophies already, but we were hoping to offer some prizes along with the trophies as an incentive to the winners so that they can be further motivated. However, we were not successful in this area, and we are hoping that by the end of the fair, that some corporate companies can come forward and chip in,” he said.

He added, “We had approached a number of companies and individuals and they have all assisted in chipping in. As a matter of fact, even a number of media houses have donated and we are very thankful for whatever support and assistance companies and individuals would have given to ensure that the 2018 fair is a success.”

Park expressed thanks to a number of companies and individuals who he said had stepped in at a very opportune time. He noted that it will certainly help in ensuring the success of the fair, adding that this year they have included the Arts, thus changing the name from STEM to STEAM.

“We are excited with the addition of the Arts into the fair this year as it provides opportunities for students to express themselves and showcase projects in this area,” he stressed.

Students would be competing in the Lower Secondary in Home Economics, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Social and Behavioural Change and Mathematics. In the Upper Secondary they would be matching skills in Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Mathematics, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while in the Nursery Category, they would be competing in Craft and Environmental Science and Science and Mathematics, and in the primary category, they would be competing in Mathematics, Craft and Visual Arts, Environmental Science and Science.

Park is optimistic that with all systems in place and students backed by their respective schools the fair will be successful.

“At this stage everything has been put in place and I can tell you that based on the feedback that we have gotten from a number of schools, they are all eager and excited to showcase their respective project at the fair. While it’s a regional fair, the magnitude in terms of excitement, crowd and anticipation is like it’s a national fair,” he noted.

In the 2016 Edition of the competition, President’s College was second while Annandale Primary took the third position. Diamond Secondary was the winner.

Source:https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com