50 schools participate in biennial STEAM fair

The Diamond Secondary School was a hive of activity on Monday as the Region Four leg of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fair commenced.
This biennial event allows for students to create and showcase projects in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), but the fair was this year extended to include the Arts category.

Hundreds of students, hailing from as far as Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara, attended the event accompanied by teachers, parents and well-wishers. In excess of 50 schools presented projects at the competition in hopes of coming out ‘on top’.
The opening ceremony saw a number of speakers who all touched on the importance of STEAM to the students’ education and Guyana’s development. Presenting the feature address was University of Guyana Lecturer Dr Elroy Charles, who explicitly spoke on the importance of STEAM to Guyana’s Green and Sustainable Development Plan. He highlighted areas such as renewable energy, biotechnology, ecology and biodiversity, noting that they can all contribute to Guyana’s Green and economic development.
In speaking on the need for energy, Dr Charles stated that our endeavours must benefit hinterland regions as well as coastal areas. “We need to develop renewable energy resources and ensure that people living in far-flung areas of hinterland regions can enjoy the benefits of energy,” he said.
The UG lecturer encouraged students to continue asking questions even though they may sometimes seem small and annoying. He said, “It is that form of inquisitiveness that as students you must have as you seek to pave the way to a green and sustainable society.”
The STEAM fair was declared open by Regional Education Chairperson (Region Four) Genevieve Allen.
The compound of the Diamond Secondary School was given a splash of colour as students from more than 50 nursery, primary and secondary schools arranged and presented a total of some 122 entries. The enthusiastic students were eager to present their school’s project to anyone who would lend a listening ear.
Kacy Persaud and Sonita Mentore of Helena Primary School explained that their project focused on recycling matter that would often be left as litter. The young ladies showed how the waste materials could be transformed into craft and useable objects.
On the other hand, a little lady from Mahaica Primary showcased a colourful costume and display on the different uses of mangoes, titled ‘mango fusion’.
In the secondary department, a series of eloquent presentations were made by Annandale Secondary, Soesdyke Secondary and Diamond Secondary. The secondary projects tended to delve deeper into areas such as soil enhancement, fossil fuels, sustainable development, and robotics. Jaleel Thomas of Annandale Secondary explained how he and his colleagues arrived at their project.
“On the East Coast of Demerara, there has been an increase in mechanic shops and the canals are clogged with water hyacinths. We are using the water hyacinths to extract all the heavy metals from the water,” he stated.
Students in the lower secondary category are competing in Home Economics, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Social and Behavioural Change, and Mathematics. In the upper secondary category, students are matching skills in Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Mathematics, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. And in the nursery category, students are competing in Craft and Environmental Science, and Science and Mathematics. In the primary category, they are competing in Mathematics, Craft and Visual Arts, Environmental Science and Science.
Diamond Secondary have ventured to defend their 2016 title with the entry of 11 whopping projects. Each category has a trophy prize attached to it.