Tucker Clarke Primary prepares for National SCIMATECH Fair
By Stanford Conway
Editor-in-Chief-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – UNDER the guidance of Leslie Richardson, students of the Tucker Clarke Primary School are busy preparing for the upcoming National Science, Mathematics and Technology [SCIMATECH] Fair.
On a visit to the learning institution, Richardson, a Grade Six teacher, and a number of his students demonstrated one of the projects earmarked for exhibition at the SCIMATECH Fair scheduled to be held at Carnival Village from Wednesday, May 7 to Friday, May 9, 2008.
Richardson, who did not reveal the name of the project, however stated that it reflects the difference between lighting systems of street lamps and a residential area, or a commercial enterprise.
“What we want to demonstrate is the difference between the Series Circuits and the Parallel Circuits. The Series Circuits are based on a connection of the lamps, end to end, where they share power from a battery. On the other hand, with the Parallel Circuits, each lamp independently gets direct power from the same battery, and this is what we want the children to understand,” Richardson said. ~~Adz:Right~~
The teacher further explained, “To the ordinary man, this reflects the lighting system of not only within the house but also on the street. For example, the Christmas lighting is based on a Series connection, where each lamp is connected to the other. If one is removed them the others will not provide any light. In terms of the Parallel, this is good for the housing because if one bulb goes the others remain lit.”
SCIMATECH is mainly about the use of science and technology as a way of making use of resource in a sustainable way. According to the organisers, “Projects developed outside of the traditional sciences [Home Economics, Behavioural Sciences, Craft and Visual Arts, etc.] are encouraged.”
The theme for this year’s National SCIMATECH Fair is “Promoting National and Regional Development through Innovations in Science and Technology”, and one of its aims and objectives is using Science and Technology, and Mathematics in the national development process as the Federation reflects on 25 years of independence.
Among others, are to popularise Science, Mathematics and Technology in schools/colleges and in the wider society, and to build students’ and the general public’s confidence in applying science for industrial and technological innovations.
According to the organisers, participating schools/institutions would display their exhibits to the judges and the general public during opening hours of the Fair, and the exhibits would be judged according to the categories and levels they were registered.
