LUCEA, Hanover — STUDENTS who participated in the inaugural three-week summer science camp hosted here at Jockey Factory by Bioprist Knowledge Park, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Centre for Community Outreach Development (CORD), Digicel Foundation and other partners, have expressed satisfaction at the learning experience.

Sassie Ann Peterkin, a student of March Town Preparatory School in Hanover who was among the 170 participants, described the camp as a tremendous experience, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

“I learned how to do DNA test, I learned about plants, proteins and muscles…,” said Peterkin.

The camp, which is the brainchild of Dr Guna Muppuri, president of Bioprist, was held under the theme: ‘Partnering to Develop Promising Young Scientists Globally,’ targeted children ages 10-13 years, as well as high school teachers in western Jamaica.

During the first week of the camp, which commenced on August 3, emphasis was placed on training teachers, while the final two weeks were geared towards empowering and challenging students through the use of hands-on activities in several aspects of science and technology.

“The camp started on Monday, August 3 with training for teachers and principals; the second and third weeks were for the four batches of students,” Dr Muppuri told the Jamaica Observer West.

“Part of my plan is to create a bridge between Jamaica and UAB. The camp was not limited to students from St James and Hanover, it is for the entire Jamaica,” he said.

He noted that he was inspired to invite UAB into the island after he decided to relocate his family from the USA to Jamaica.

“My son attended these camps at the University of Alabama and I was picking him up at the camp and the director said we will see you next year at the camp. I said I’m sorry but my son is not going to come next year, he’s moving to Jamaica. That prompted the director of UAB CORD to ask what can be done for Jamaica. They said bring the kids from Jamaica, I said it’s too expensive, I can’t do it, but if you could consider coming to Jamaica I’ll bring all the children in one group. That’s how everything started. And this is where I am today, making impossible to possible,” Dr Muppuri explained.

He added: “As an entrepreneur, I have seen that those children who do not have access to premium institutions and exposures are the children I want to get exposed on par with my children.”

Shirley Sanders-Ginwright, Programme Director for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Centre for Community Outreach, revealed that the three-week camp was the UAB’s maiden venture outside of the USA.

“This is our first time reaching out to another country and it has been a wonderful experience. Our goal was to bring science enrichment to the kids and teachers of Jamaica. The students and teachers were extremely engaged. We hope they will continue working with us in future years and throughout the year in their classrooms. It has been a wonderful experience and we look forward to returning,” said Sanders-Ginwright, at the close of the camp last Friday.

Meantime, Meghana Muppuri, daughter of the organiser and a student of the University of the West Indies, who revealed that she has volunteered at other camps in the United States of America and India, said that the camp in Jamaica was overwhelming.

“The other camps were great, but at this one there was something more… it was mind-blowing and very exciting,” said an elated Meghana.

Dr Danielle M Yancey, an instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Centre for Community Outreach, noted that the students in Jamaica have an appetite for learning.

“It was an incredible experience and I love every minute of it. The students here in Jamaica are so excited, so hungry to learn, they are so passionate, and it was a wonderful experience for them,” said Dr Yancey, adding that “the children were well behaved”.

Minister of Education Rev Ronald Thwaites gave the camp the thumbs up when the Observer West caught up with him at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association 51st Annual Conference at Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, last week.

“The Ministry of Education applauds any efforts made by friends abroad, as well as locals to ensure that we have better preparation for our students, better infrastructure. Can you imagine the generosity of spirit of people who on their own expense usually bring their own materials to build Jamaica?” he said.