St Martin Secondary School wins award in regional science competition

Kendra Jean Jacques poses next to her project in Barbados
Kendra Jean Jacques poses next to her project in Barbados

The St Martin Secondary School has been awarded a cash prize of US $500 and the award for Best Use of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the regional leg of the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge in Barbados.

The team comprising student, Kendra Jean Jacques, and teacher, Vanessa Seraphin, represented Dominica at the competition after winning the local competition with their project “Flushometer ‘Little Water, Big Flush.’

The project was designed to address low water pressure at that school.

Seraphin said the experience was both a learning and rewarding one both for her and Kendra.”She got to present her project regionally, to various people and we are very proud as a school, that we represented Dominica and very proud of the student because she did an excellent job at presenting the project,” she said.

She said that the cash prize will go towards the renovating the roof of the school’s food lab.

Seraphin also stated that the school is looking forward to participating in the competition whenever it comes around again.

Belize won the competition with their project entitled ‘Coconuts4Life’ while Jamaica placed 1st runner up with their project ‘Electro-Light; Making Your Electricity Bill Lighter’ and Trinidad 2nd runner up with ‘Who is the farmer in your neighbour’.

Twelve schools from across the region participated in the Regional competition last week.

The challenge, which was conceptualized by Sagicor Life Inc and the Caribbean Science Foundation in partnership with the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), was established as a way to encourage young people to think of innovative ways that can help foster and maintain sustainable Caribbean communities.

The St Martin Secondary School was awarded six CXC approved science kits, a certificate and a Caribbean Science Foundation computerized mobile science and technology centre.

Group photo of participants from across the region
Group photo of participants from across the region
Kendra and teacher Vanessa Seraphin
Kendra and teacher Vanessa Seraphin

 

 

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22 Comments

  1. diana
    September 17, 2015

    I am proud of my school smss go!!

  2. April 18, 2013

    well done but $500.00 I hope the local private sector comes in and match this amount so that at the end of the day it will be several thousands.

    The youth needs encouragement.

    Congratulations for St Martin Secondary School.

  3. Anonymous
    April 18, 2013

    Great job..

  4. BWA
    April 18, 2013

    I hope st.martin school do away with those crippling Home economics courses they force on their students. This is 2013 afterall, young women should be taught to be the best engineers, doctors, lawyers rather than homemakers and cooks. A woman doesn’t belong in the kitchen but out there in the world working hard at making this place better to live in. Vanessa is an awesome individual and teacher. SMSS should utilize quality teachers like her to improve their students test scores and potential.

    • K.T.
      April 18, 2013

      FORCE you said? Smh. The students’ parents REGISTER them at the school and therefore know what the school offers. Your comment is absolutely ridiculous.

      And by the way, if everyone were doctors lawyers and engineers who would take care of your children and your home? Will you say that in the future we won’t need homes and any more children? smh

      Anyway on another note congrats to Misses JJ and Seraphine! You ladies made your school and the Dominican community proud! Keep it up!

      • bwa kwaieb
        April 18, 2013

        We don’t need any young girls being groomed to become housewives and mothers before they’ve had the opportunity to explore the world and their own interests. If you want to be barefoot and pregnant cooking for your Huzzbant then do so. The only reason why these kids go SMSS is because they were probably ill prepared to do common entrance exams and failed or did not pass very high to go to schools like Convent. Before you go off on a rant, I’m not saying that they’re not smart. Quite the contrary. I’m saying that SMSS is a last resort for many of these kids there because the government has failed these kids. Maybe now with all those quality teachers like Vanessa, SMSS girls can do great things. Answer this question: Have you ever seen men take classes to become better fathers? Have you ever seen people groom young boys to cook clean or make a bed? lolol I think not! Take it as you wish.

    • MY POINT
      April 27, 2013

      I agree with with you and as a past student of this school its a chance now for the school introduce more science courses to the students. The biggest down fall for this school I think is the subjects that are taught. There’s no chemistry or biology or agricultural science. I think spanish as well should be introduced, history and geography.

  5. Patriotic Dominican
    April 18, 2013

    Thumbs up well done

  6. $$$$
    April 18, 2013

    Congrats to the young ladies and the St. Martin Secondary for their achivements. Well done.

  7. trute
    April 18, 2013

    Congrats!!

  8. Too Hard Too Long
    April 18, 2013

    Wonderful work!! Congratulations to you Kendra and to your teacher as well. You have done well and I do hope that you continue to take such an active role in your education. There are extensive opportunities in research and development and this experience has shown that you are well on your way there.

    • SPORT 2
      April 19, 2013

      An active child is Kendra. Glad I had the opportunity to know her. I am proud of her achievements. She plays Netball and is a force to be reckoned with in the centre court. Go girl. SMSS too!!!

  9. Sylvester Cadette
    April 18, 2013

    Creative and Innovative Minds!!

    Congrats to Ms. Kendra Jean-Jacques, her teacher Ms. Seraphin, and the St. Martin Secondary. Congrats also to the Science fair organizers and the Ministry of education. Congrats to the sponsors too – Sagicor and CXC.

    I note that the award was for Best Use of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. This shows we can go places with creativity, innovation, science, technology, Engineering and YES MATHEMATICS!!!

    I also note that our women and girls are more and more involved in science and technology and are now the cream of our science cadre.

    Talking about science & technology, on the 25th April, 2013 will be International “GIRLS in ICT DAY”. COME YE FORWARD DAUGTHERS!!! I guess the populace will here about that soon from the appropriate source.

    I hope we can get footage or detailed information on all the participating projects in the regional competitions and aired on GIS (Make it GIS Educational corner – a weekly or bi-weekly on Gov’t Edu-Program for stimulating young minds). I just gave the tagline!

    Come ye forward sons and daughters

  10. Anonymous
    April 18, 2013

    Good work Vanessa!!

  11. Truth be spoken
    April 18, 2013

    Sending my congrats to the school and students who were involved.

  12. Truth be spoken
    April 18, 2013

    Dominica won an Award, but did not place? I guess this is what it is saying.

  13. Truth be spoken
    April 18, 2013

    The news is a bit confusing..Who won? Dominica or Belize?

    Admin: The story says that St. Martin’s school has won an award in the competition, not the competition itself.

  14. Alex Bruno
    April 18, 2013

    Well done!!

    • April 18, 2013

      but someone said that already QUESTION MARK ??????? KING,,,,,,,,

      you all made us proud

      thanks DNO For the spotlight

  15. God's child
    April 18, 2013

    Great job St.Martin Secondary. Congratulations to the student , teacher , principal and staff. Proud of this achievement. Keep up the good work.

  16. Anonymous
    April 18, 2013

    Nice!!!Congratulations to you an your school. Our island needs young, fresh and innovative minds particularly in the fields of Science and Technology.

  17. Yes I
    April 18, 2013

    AWESOME!

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