Posted Oct 22, 2015
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PRESS RELEASE: October 20, 2015
CSF and CAS Host Two STEM Teacher Training Workshops in Jamaica
On October 12-13 and 15-16 2015, the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) collaborated to host the two STEM training workshops for primary school teachers in Jamaica. They were held at the Genesis Academy, Kingston and the Academy of Science, Technology and Arts (ASTA), Montego Bay respectively, and were made possible by grant funding from the Embassy of the United States of America to Jamaica, as well as through the cooperation of the Ministry of Education of Jamaica.
Delivering brief remarks at the opening of the Kingston workshop, Senator Wensworth Skeffrey, STEM Technical Officer in the Ministry of Education urged the teachers to fully immerse themselves in the workshop activities, as the knowledge gained would only improve their ability to engage the nation’s children. At the Montego Bay location, similar sentiments were shared by Mr. Sadpha Bennet, the National Science Coordinator in the Ministry of Education.
The primary school teachers, who were specially selected by the Ministry of Education, were then exposed to two days of lectures, activities, hands-on experimentation utilizing readily available materials and were introduced to the UNESCO-approved micro-science kits. They were able also to engage the facilitators, ask questions and to share their classroom experiences, challenges and victories amongst themselves. The feedback which they provided at the end of each workshop indicated that the teachers found the sessions to be relevant, applicable and fun, and many expressed their appreciation at having experienced the training.
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The training was delivered by facilitators: Professor Winston Mellowes – Professor Emeritus, UWI St. Augustine, Professor Theodore Lewis – Professor Emeritus, UWI St. Augustine, Mrs. Petal Jetoo – National Science Coordinator Ministry of Education Guyana, and chief facilitator Dr. Rowena Kalloo – UWI St. Augustine. It is anticipated that when these teachers return to their school communities, they will serve as ambassadors and share their knowledge and passion with their colleagues and students.
For more information please visit the Stem Teacher Training Workshops