Energy matters took centre stage last week when approximately 75 children were exposed to the inaugural one-week Energy Science Camp.

The Division of Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Business, in partnership with the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology (MIST) the interactive camp for children six to 11 years old. The camp was integrated into the annual MIST Science Camp as a new element for the campers.

Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, visited the camp, at The St. Michael School, and underscored the importance of the initiative. She called on corporate Barbados involved in that sector, to support a bigger camp next year.

“We want…to scale up this camp and make it something that is even bigger in the years to come. So, we’re welcoming the support of corporate Barbados and those, particularly who are invested in the energy space, and I am inviting them to come on board so that we can continue to build this…,” Senator Cummins stated.

In giving the rationale for the camp, the Minister said it was necessary to ensure that the children were a part of Barbados’ energy future. 

“We’re using a national energy plan…from 2019, and in many ways that needs to be updated now. It needs to now take us into the next phase of our energy transition, and to solve some of the problems that we have encountered as we have implemented that plan. So that’s what we’re navigating now.

So, for that reason, we…wanted to make sure that the young people can see, feel and touch what the energy future for them can look like, and so the camp really was birthed out of that process,” she explained.

During the camp, the children learnt about wind energy, wind turbines, solar energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency, among other areas. They also engaged in various challenges, toured the Barbados National Oil Company Limited, and saw solar and wind farms as they travelled across the island.

Senator Cummins noted that the campers were exposed to various career opportunities available in the energy sector, to allow them to become familiar with potential careers.

“I think that exposing young people to what their options are, by getting them immersed in what is happening in these sectors, is critical for young people…. Energy and energy transition is about bringing people, and in this case young people, along for the journey, and we’re very happy to have been able to do that,” she stated.

The Ministry’s team was assisted by facilitators from Robot Adventures and Relay Education, with sponsorship from Blue Circle Energy; the Barbados National Oil Company Limited; the National Petroleum Corporation; and the Transport Board. 

On Monday, August 19, the Ministry of Energy and Business will replicate the week-long Energy Science Camp at the National Summer Camp, at the Hilda Skeene Primary School, Ruby, St. Philip. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, speaking to camper Max Gill as he designs a solar car

Project-based learning (PBL) was heralded as a success, on Thursday, August 08, 2024.

This, as the dozens of secondary school-bound students who took part in the Ministry of Education’s Summer School programme, were acknowledged as the first group in the island to use this learning approach to strengthen their thinking and problem-solving skills.

It also sought to broaden their knowledge base in preparation for secondary school in September 2024.

St. Mary’s Primary School hosted the proud graduates of the programme, along with their parents, guardians and Ministry officials.

In her official address, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, revealed that this group was the first to benefit from the project-based learning approach, one of the proposed teaching and learning components under Education Transformation. PBL is a method of teaching which involves students working together to design and construct hands-on solutions to real-life problems.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, viewing the exhibits of students who took part in the Ministry of Education’s Summer School programme

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said: “For this year’s PBL implementation, the problem identified was that students struggle with Reading and Mathematics because they are not exposed enough to using concrete materials during instruction and often their learning styles are not considered. The literature on teaching and learning in Mathematics and Reading is replete with research evidence that suggests that manipulatives help to develop students’ conceptual understanding and that ‘gamification’, or the use of games serves to motivate students, reinforce concepts and provide engagement and enjoyment.”

The overall theme for Summer School My Learning, My Future! This is Me!, and the goal was to have students create a Tool Kit, containing manipulatives and games, otherwise called ‘power tools’, which reflect their way of learning. This would assist the student in developing and retaining the Reading and Mathematics concepts taught within the few weeks spent in the programme.

The Chief Education Officer assured the audience that the Ministry would continue “to invest in the academic, social and emotional well-being of these students to ensure that each Barbadian student is assured a bright future, and that no child is left behind”.

The summer programme, which is offered annually by the Ministry of Education provides the opportunity for deferred Class 3 and 4 students from the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) to be immersed in a Remedial Mathematics and Reading Intervention programme which seeks to:

•  Improve their performance, skills, and understanding in Reading and specific areas in Mathematics. 
• Develop enhanced study skills, self-confidence, and strategies for appropriate social interaction, through the necessary social support services provided.
• Promote physical well-being, through Physical Education and hone artistic skills, through Music and Dance.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw made a special appeal to students to apply what they learned over the summer and continue the learning process, while parents were assured that regular consultation would take place as our education system continues to transform to a more student-centred one.

The day’s proceedings concluded with a dynamic performance by students who presented “This Is Me”, from the film “The Greatest Showman”, under the musical direction of Israel J. Allen, who lauded the natural talents of the choir. There was also an exhibition of the collaborative work accomplished by the students. 

While PBL is yet to be executed in its fullness, the Ministry is very encouraged by the early positive signs displayed through the Summer School programme. (PR/GIS)

Children who were exposed to the National Financial Literacy Programme’s (NFLP) schools’ component, FLITE, have given it the thumbs up, with many saying it was “exceptional”.

Programme Coordinator for the schools’ component, Corey Worrell, said approximately 485 children learned about financial literacy during the first phase of the Ministry of Energy and Business’ initiative.

Mr. Worrell continued: “We received an amazing response to the programme from the children. Based on our evaluation of the primary schools, we were able to conclude that the children gained knowledge from their financial literacy sessions and retained it.

“The feedback has been exceptional, and we are encouraged that they are practising what they have learnt, and the information is already making inroads into the community.”

He described the programme as a “dynamic learning experience”, designed to educate, empower, and equip school-aged children and the youth with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

“In other words, FLITE aims to make them more financially literate. We envision that this increased financial literacy will enhance their overall quality of life and enable them to achieve their personal dreams,” the Programme Coordinator stated.

The first phase of the programme was delivered during Term 2 and the first six weeks of Term 3 to Class 2 and Second Form students. It ended on May 31, and was facilitated by 13 persons, including five volunteers from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados.

At the end of the promotional examinations, a Post-Exam Programme was implemented to introduce the FLITE to Class 1 and First Form students. They will be participating in phase two of the programme, which starts in the new academic school year.

Mr. Worrell said that approximately 400 students benefitted from 106 financial literacy sessions in the Post-Exam Programme. They examined “The Psychology of Money”, “Buying on a Budget”, and “Soaring through Saving”.

The participating primary schools in the Post-Exam Programme were Wilkie Cumberbatch, Wesley Hall, Shirley Chisholm, St. Matthew’s, Lawrence T. Gay, and St. Silas, while the secondary schools were Coleridge & Parry, Deighton Griffith, and The Lodge School. 

He disclosed that 12 of the 13 schools in the pilot phase of the NFLP will be involved in phase two, which will commence in the 2024/2025 academic year.  (PR/GIS)

Caption: Facilitators Jerome Lovell and Dale Edwards talking to Class One Lawrence T. Gay students about the National Financial Literacy Programme’s Schools’ Component, FLITE, during a Post-Exam Programme