Sci-TechKnoFest

On October 25th 1997, NIHERST underlined its leadership in Caribbean science popularization when it raised the curtain on Sci-TechKnoFest '97 its first science and technology festival. Drawing its name from Science, Technology and Knowledge the nine day festival held at the paddock area of the Queen's Park Savannah attracted in excess of 30,000 persons many of whom were repeat visitors. These visitors were drawn from school groups, adults and families. The festival's theme was Science and Technology in our daily lives and it catered to all age groups. Being a first of its kind, Sci-TechKnoFest '97 proved to be very successful in promoting public understanding of science and technology and its impacts on our everyday interactions using four main components:

  • YAPOLLO exhibits
  • Other exhibits
  • Lectures, demonstrations, shows and panel discussions
  • Competition and fun activities
  • The Creative Arts and Science Education

The aims of the festival were to:

  • Show the application of science and technology in our daily lives
  • Raise the level of scientific and technological literacy of our people
  • Promote the development of a scientific ethos
  • Encourage innovation and invention

Over 75 companies from the Public and Private sector, the University of the West Indies, state enterprises and private sector mounted interactive exhibits. There were special science shows, demonstrations, computer rooms and educational fun games to cater for all ages. Many of the exhibits were designed and built by NIHERST and were of high quality and this indicated that exhibits of this kind need not always be imported.

The resident science showman of Sci-TechKnoFest '97 was Eddie Goldstein from the Denver Museum of Natural History. He thrilled visitors with his "Magical Math and Science" shows and got their enthusiastic participation time and time again.

The tremendous response to Sci-TechKnoFest '97 has encouraged NIHERST to make this festival a biennial event which promises to offer exhibits of a grander scale. The future looks to be filled with fast paced scientific advances for which we must be ready and plans are already afoot for presenting the next Sci-TechKnoFest.