Uplift Jamaican Schoolchildren Through Science

We admit it: spending time with young people in the lab & watching the joy of discovery on their faces is addictive. As we thought about how to encourage more youth to consider investing in science, it hit us – we should, as scientists ourselves, request permission to address students during their Career Days. Our Science Policy committee got to work driving this initiative and we are happy to say the data is back from the first two schools (Holy Childhood High & Merl Grove High, Kingston, Jamaica). 

We were privileged to be able to spend two days with the ladies of Holy Childhood. More than 200 grade 9 students attended, 80% of whom told us they were more excited about science as a result of our talk and 90% said they learned from the talk. On day two, 70 grade 10 students attended the career talk, 90% of whom reported being more excited about science and 94% said they learned something from the career talk. 

It was then time to move on to Merl Grove High. Again, 90% of the students were more excited about science after the career talk & 100% reported learning something. Not bad for our first time out. 

We are grateful that the principals of these schools allowed us to interact with their students during a period of their lives when they’re making choices that will impact the career path they take. We are blown away to be so well received. We are planning to address more high school students & are committed to finding more ways to inspire & empower them through science. None of this would be possible without our volunteers & your support. Thank you!!! Who knows what else we can accomplish together? 

Links:

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