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GraceKennedy, Parade Gardens Partner for Summer Camps

Published:Monday | July 20, 2015 | 11:38 AM
Contributed
Chairman of Grace and Staff, James Moss-Solomon, makes a presentation to Alijahno Graham, one of the participants in the recent Jamaica Public Service and Scientific Research Council Summer Camps.

The GraceKennedy Parade Gardens STEM Centre is gearing up for a second summer camp initiative to benefit the young people in and around that community.

This time, the camp is being conducted by The Science and Technology Education Unit, the public education arm of the Scientific Research Council, which encourages an appreciation for science, technology and innovation (STI) in schools through its science clubs, competitions in STI, summer attachment programmes and summer camps.

"We see this as an opportunity to impact young lives by making them more aware of science, technology and innovation. They utilise science on a daily basis without giving it much thought when they play video games, watch television and use their cell phones," said Amanda McKenzie, coordinator, Science & Technology Education Unit.

"With the aid of guest presentations, laboratory experiments, field trip and tour, multimedia presentations and team-building exercises, the participants will have the opportunity to utilise STI in a practical way and thereby contribute to the fostering of a culture of innovation," McKenzie added.

whole new worlds

"These partnerships are really proving very valuable to the children and the communities we serve," said Tanketa Chance-Wilson, general manager of Grace and Staff. "When we opened the STEM centre in November, we knew the impact it could have in these very important areas, and each activity there proves that the centre's presence is contributing to the shaping of young minds in the STEM areas and opening up whole new worlds for them," Chance-Wilson added.

Scheduled for July 27-31, the summer camp will offer an environment for students to discover and experience science through its hands-on application and allows for team building and leadership development.

The camp will be free of cost to participants and will target inner-city youths between the ages of eight and 12 currently living in or attending primary schools in the downtown Parade Gardens area.