KINGSTON, Jamaica — Residents of Parade Gardens and environs are lauding GraceKennedy Limited following the launch of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre in the downtown Kingston community.

The state-of-the-art science lab, outfitted with the latest gadgets, including a Mimio whiteboard, and 3D printer, is the second of its kind in Jamaica and was opened on Monday.

“We are really happy that a centre such as this one was launched in our community,” said Donna Wright, a resident of the Parade Gardens community.

She was one of several residents who expressed confidence that the centre would help students not just from their area but other close by communities make bold steps in the sciences.

“The centre is a facility that was really needed in the community and we are confident that from this we will see more youth taking advantage of the opportunity to visit the lab and further their studies in the science,” said Merle Davis.

On Monday CEO of Grace Kennedy Don Wheby said he was confident that the centre would be a catalyst for change in the community.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said he was pleased with the efforts of organisations such as GraceKennedy which made the facility a reality.

Thwaites said that schools needed to place greater focus on the sciences and the launch of a STEM Centre was helping towards such a move.

‎”We can’t keep doing the same things the same way every year and expect different results,” said the minister.

“What we have been doing over the years is to follow an essential traditional educationally system and that needs to change.”

Kimmo Matthews