Education Jamaica Project #17165

Uplift Jamaican Schoolchildren Through Science

by Society for Scientific Advancement

Uplift Jamaican Schoolchildren Through Science

Project Report | Jun 7, 2022
Blockchain - Exploring Innovate Technology

By JeAnn Watson | SOSA Member

Crack The Code!

SOSA is looking to break the crypto code this summer!

When bitcoins hit the scene, an associated technology also got quite a bit of attention – BLOCKCHAIN! Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies are digital currencies, and blockchain is the technology that keeps records of all the exchanges.

Simply put, blockchain is like a ledger, with important features to push the envelope on security, decentralization, and transparency – a peer-to-peer network manages the blockchain, transactions can be viewed by everyone, and they can’t be changed or reversed. This makes them tamper free.

Blockchain has penetrated many markets since bitcoin – it is now used by many businesses to record transactions, track assets, and automate workflow. This includes the supply chain, healthcare, financial services, and oil and gas - so it impacts us in many ways!

SOSA welcomes students from ages 8-18 in July for this exciting opportunity for active learning on crypto and blockchain. Who do you know that wants to break the crypto code?? Follow Society for Scientific Advancement on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook for clues!

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Feb 7, 2022
Prevent, Prepare, Restore

By Danielle Webster | Member of Board of Directors

Introduction to Natural Disasters

SOSAvember STEPS was an “en-lightning” experience! 169 primary and secondary students located across Kingston Jamaica, learned about how natural disasters develop worldwide, and most importantly, how they might be mitigated with the use of technologies available and the skills of individuals employed in a career in STEM.

Closer to home, our breakout activities focused on hurricane detection, preparedness, mitigation and recovery, as the Caribbean is threatened by hurricanes every year. Our students experienced what it would be like to be a civil engineer and design cities that are better equipped to manage such threats. Students were also able to prepare a hurricane evacuation plan.

We wrapped up the day's events discussing how artificial intelligence is used to track hurricanes and give accurate predictions on their intensities and path. Students were intrigued with our final activity that focused on current AI technology, machine learning, and designing their own mock artificial intelligence machine.

Overall, our students learnt about the use of technology to study weather patterns, how engineers prepare infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, and how artificial intelligence plays a critical role in tracking and predicting these occurrences.

We thoroughly enjoyed teaching our STEPS students this past November, and it seems they had lots of fun too. Here are a few comments from our participants:

“It made me care more about the environment and how things need to be fixed” – Primary school student

“It helped me to know that there is more to science than just bones and chemicals” – Primary school student

“The event influenced me, not sure about others, but it definitely had a huge impact on the way I think about STEM careers now. Stem careers is any job in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math. With a foundation in these subjects, a STEM career allows you to solve problems, develop new ideas and conduct research. Advanced science, technology, engineering or math knowledge. These careers have had a huge impact on our economy and society.” – High school student

Technology and Weather

AI in Weather

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Oct 10, 2021
Demystifying Vaccines

By JeAnn Watson | SOSA Secretary

Introduction to Immunity

Under the theme 'Demystifying Vaccines', we hosted primary and secondary school students in some virtual STEM fun! We explored the world of vaccines, a hotly debated topic currently...

Starting off with an explanation of our immune system and how it works, we discussed different kinds of immunity and the type that vaccines confer. We next delved into the stages of vaccine development, and eventually landed on the COVID-19 vaccines and what made them similar and different compared to the vaccines before them.

Given differing public opinions, we designed this session to inform students about vaccines, and to encourage them to do their own research. The key take-away here was to seek out reliable (and multiple!) sources of information.

During the first breakout room session, students were able to simulate an outbreak, with and without a vaccine, to see how it is that a highly vaccinated population developed herd immunity, thereby protecting even the unvaccinated from the virus.

In the second session, students were given insight on what it's like to be a clinical trial participant, including the measures taken to protect the participants.

We got some feedback that the session boosted STEM interest and confidence, or reinforced dreams of pursuing STEM careers -

"My dream is to become a doctor and participating in this workshop has given me a new drive to pursue that dream."

"Boosts my knowledge because id like to be a doctor one day."

"It has increased my love for engineering."

For others, it increased their knowledge of the field, with one student having a chuckle over their newly found knowledge:

"I did not know what herd immunity was. I hadn't even HERD of it. Get my joke?"

We get the joke :)

But one thing the students all had in common? They would all attend another STEPS workshop!

Here's to another successful STEPS, thank you for your continued support!!!

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