NIHERST Immerses Caribbean Students into a World of Science and Technology

Engaging presentations, hands-on workshops, eye-opening field trips and one-on-one interaction with leading scientists, as well as experts from business and industry, proved yet again to be a rich and impactful learning experience for students engaged in the Caribbean Youth Science Forum (CYSF) 2016. Over 150 lower six students from Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago participated in the week-long residential forum from 31st July – 7th August 2016.

Ms. Sylvia Lalla, NIHERST’s Acting President described the forum that started 17 years ago, as a “unique and important platform which allows students to explore the benefits of the academic and professional opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).” She emphasised that “particularly crucial in this new post oil and gas era, this programme is an investment in our region’s long term development, as growth and diversification are almost impossible without strengthening STEM education and our capabilities in science, technology and innovation.”

In the feature address, Ms. Anna Singh represented the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education and echoed Ms. Lalla’s sentiments as she reminded the audience of the pervasive impact of factors such as technology and the environment on our resources, health and overall functioning. She also shared what the Ministry of Education sees as a “critical mass of immense talent and capacity” in the Caribbean “which when mobilised strategically, results in inestimable benefits.” The keynote speaker was a West Indian American with Trinidadian roots, Dr. Colin Topper Carew, a Visiting Researcher/Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the Director and Founder of a new Innovation and Inclusion Initiative at MIT’s Media Lab. In his speech entitled “The Caribbean as a World Class Epicentre of Technology and Innovation” he attested to the region’s strength and potential as he revealed to the young participants that the Caribbean islands “have a vast intellectual reservoir” and that he “futuristically sees the Caribbean becoming a world-class technological epicentre, with an emphasis on world-class.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

NIHERST extends a heartfelt thank you to all those who contributed to the success of CYSF 2016.

Anthony P. Scott & Co Ltd
Atlantic LNG
Bermudez Group Ltd
blink | bmobile
Blue Waters Products Ltd
Carib Brewery T&T Ltd
Coca Cola Caribbean Bottlers T&T Ltd
Diana Candy Company Ltd
Embassy of the United States in Port of Spain
Field Naturalists Club
Flavourite Foods Ltd
HADCO Group
Holiday Snacks Ltd
Kiss Baking Company Ltd
Massy Foundation
Micon Marketing Ltd
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development
Nationwide Waste Disposal and Management Company Ltd
Oasis One Brands Limited [Water One]
Oscar Francois Ltd
Rhand Credit Union Co-operative Society Ltd
S.M Jaleel & Company Ltd
Solo Beverages Ltd
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
The University of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Regiment
Universal Foods Ltd
Vemco Ltd
Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
Xtra Foods Supermarket

The principals and teachers who selected suitable participants to attend
This year’s professionals and organisations taking part in daily lectures, workshops, and the Socialising with Scientists
Our judges for the Design Challenge Competition who provide invaluable feedback
NIHERST’s regional counterparts for facilitating the attendance of students from the Caribbean
Members of the planning committee which comprises NIHERST staff, science teachers and persons from other agencies
Members of NIHERST staff for the additional support and time for CYSF
The organisations and companies hosting field trips
The chaperones and hosts for providing guidance and support to the participants and assistance to the forum staff
Parents and guardians of the participants who have entrusted their children to us
The participants without whom there would be no forum
The media establishments for coverage of CYSF 2016
All those who assisted and who are not included in this list, whose support has made CYSF 2016 possible

BRONZE SPONSORS

CYSF is sponsored in part by:

Atlantic
Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad and Tobago

Atlantic is one of the world’s largest producers of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The company is based in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago and operates and manages a natural gas liquefaction facility located at Point Fortin in South Trinidad.

Atlantic loads over 250 cargoes of LNG per annum, which is shipped by its customers to over 20 destinations around the world including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, India, Korea and Japan. Atlantic also produces natural gas liquids (NGLs) which are sold locally. Trinidad and Tobago is the sixth largest LNG exporter in the world.

Blink Bmobile
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT)
blink | bmobile

Vision: “To become the standard bearer in Trinidad & Tobago for leading-edge communications solutions and services that will enrich the lives of citizens, businesses and visitors.”

TSTT is Trinidad and Tobago’s largest and most advanced provider of integrated communications solutions to the residential and commercial markets. Its leading-edge products are designed around an IP-based core infrastructure and marketed under its blink | bmobile brand. In addition to fixed line and 4G mobile communications, the Company offers wireless data using best-in-class HSPA+ and LTE technologies; Metro Ethernet; Video Conferencing; subscription-based IPTV as well as business/home alarm monitoring services, and an innovative line of Android, iPhone and other smart devices available through individual and corporate subscriptions.