Students across the island are set to benefit from a new initiative, the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT) and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), in the United States.
The initiative, which focuses on distributing hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) kits, is called Learning Lunchboxes and it seeks to inspire youth and families towards the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The Learning Lunchboxes are interactive kits with space-focused learning activities which showcase the diversity of STEM.
On Friday, August 26, a representative from COSI, the number-one science museum in the country as voted by USA Today’s 10 Best, will present Education Minister, Kay McConney, with approximately 500 kits consisting of 400 Learning Lunchboxes, specifically geared towards primary school students, and 100 Virgin Hyperloop kits which are considered more suited to secondary school students.
Learning Lunchboxes is the brain-child of the President and CEO of COSI, Dr. Frederic Bertley, who has Barbadian roots.
The distribution event will take place at the Ministry’s headquarters at the Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael (on the lawn below the Administration Block), from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. It promises to be a fun one involving hands-on, minds-on activities for the participants, in addition to the formal aspects.
COSI has traditionally distributed kits at local food banks across the U.S. and around the world to help feed hungry bodies and hungry minds. The innovative, community-based model brings together informal and formal education leaders to highlight the importance of STEM and to help bridge the education gap.
COSI has also distributed the kits in London, Paris and other territories.
Minister McConney, along with President of COSI, Dr. Bertley, will address the event.
It will also be attended by Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw; Deputy Chief Education Officer, Roderick Rudder; Director of Education Reform, Dr. Idamay Denny and members of the COSI team.