Science is back in the spotlight as the national science quizzes made their return on 12 February, opening with an impressive display of knowledge and quick thinking from the island’s primary school students.
Eight schools, representing the island’s eight schooling districts, took part in the keenly contested event. Participating schools included Dame Pearlette Primary School, Vide Bouteille Primary School, Banse La Grace Combined School, Fond St Jacques Primary School, Bexon Primary School, Richfond Primary School, Desruisseaux Combined School and Tapion Private School.
At the end of the competition, Tapion Private School secured first place, followed by Banse La Grace Combined School in second and Fond St Jacques Primary School in third.
Curriculum Officer for Natural Sciences in the Ministry of Education, Anya James, said the core aim of the initiative is to foster a genuine enthusiasm for the subject.
“The purpose of this basically is to encourage students to just love science,” James explained. “So we have a little competition, it makes them think under pressure, give them a little challenge, and most of all they get to show off their scientific skills.”
According to James, the response from schools continues to grow stronger each year.
“Well the response has been great so far. Every year we have more and more students getting excited about when they get to grade five that they can actually compete in the science quiz,” she said. “The majority of schools compete and everybody’s looking forward to their school being the school to represent the district at the quiz.”
She noted that the anticipation surrounding the event extends beyond students.
“So it’s every year we have our students and teachers excited for it,” James added.
The return of the quiz comes at a time when global interest in science subjects has reportedly declined, a trend the Ministry of Education hopes to counteract.
“Globally, people have been getting less and less interested in the science subject, but we want children to be more excited about science because of the way the world is going now,” James stated.
She pointed to real-world challenges that underscore the importance of scientific knowledge.
“For example, we had COVID, we have climate change, all these things, it’s science that we’ll be able to solve it,” she said.
James emphasised that nurturing a love for science at an early age is an investment in the island’s future.
“So we want our children to get the love for science so that when they become older, like our age, so they can actually go into fields where they can solve those problems or continue our work that we are doing right now.”
With enthusiastic participation and a high level of competition already evident, organisers are hopeful that the renewed spotlight on science will inspire a new generation of innovators and problem solvers across Saint Lucia.