Vincy students reap success at Youth Forum

Science students from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College triumphed over their regional counterparts when they took the debating trophy in the recent Caribbean Youth Science Forum.{{more}}

The forum, which took place in Trinidad and Tobago, brought together over 300 participants from around the region and 20 regional scientists. St. Vincent and the Grenadines was represented by six students from the Community College, science teacher Inga Creese and Coordinator of Science and Technology in the Ministry of Telecommunication, Science, Technology and Industry Phillip Jackson.

According to Jackson, the students did not know the debate question until the day before the competition, and were therefore at a disadvantage, but somehow managed to take the trophy anyway.

They opposed the topic ‘Be it resolved that science and technology will help eliminate poverty in the world’, which they said, was a difficult topic to oppose because the statement in itself is true.

Javal Wood and Keisean Stevenson, two of the students who represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the forum, told SEARCHLIGHT that they were both enthused by the experience and said that they would encourage any student serious about a career in science to try out for the team next year. Both young men stated that they met some very interesting people.

Wood said that he was now convinced that there was a future for science in the West Indies. He told the SEARCHLIGHT that his favourite lecture was one based on Physics, which is a subject close to his heart.

Stevenson though, was more drawn to the lecture that covered Global warming. He thinks he came away from the experience a better person.

The other students representing this country were Ayodeji Adams, Laron Browne, Raianna Thomas and Deleon Fergus.

Jackson told the SEARCHLIGHT that this is the first time in a few years that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been involved in the forum, but stated with confidence that this event will become a permanent part of the annual Science and Technology programme.

The students’ participation in the forum was sponsored by St. Vincent Electricity Services Ltd. (VINLEC). The forum was first held in 1999. (VM)