FIFTEEN high schools will this academic year be presented with mobile science labs, in keeping with the Digicel Foundation’s focus on creating more opportunities for practical teaching and learning experiences around science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in secondary schools. The schools — Wolmer’s Girls’, Kingston High, Norman Manley High, Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha), Papine High, Bridgeport High, José Marti Technical High, Robert Lightbourne High, Seaforth High, Paul Bogle High, Edwin Allen High, Rusea’s High, Godfrey Stewart High, New Forest Primary and Junior High and Port Antonio High — represent the second phase of the initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Clinton Global Initiative.

Each mobile lab comes fully equipped with recommended laboratory equipment and chemicals as per the grades 7-9 curriculum, a mobile interactive white board and 10 tablet computers.

The project is in line with the Ministry of Education’s focus on improving the teaching and learning of STEM subjects. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education applauded the initiative, highlighting the projects usefulness in stimulating interest in science education.

“The Mobile Science Lab initiative represents the best opportunity for thousands of Jamaican students to experience the wonders of science education. It is my hope that very soon, every primary and junior high school will have access to a mobile lab,” Minister Thwaites said.

The first phase of the project was launched in September 2014 in 17 high schools across the island. One of them was St Andrew High School for girls, where, according to head of the science department Franklin Burrell, the teaching process became more efficient given the wide range of equipment in the labs.

“The labs ensure that the students can have more access to the equipment and a more hands-on experience in the learning process,” Burrell said.

He also highlighted that the mobile labs arrived at an opportune juncture, as due to limited resources, students at the sixth-form level were often given priority to use the school’s science facilities.

“We can now ensure that our young thinkers and new innovators have access to the labs, even while being taught under a tree,” he added.

Through a US$1 million investment, the Digicel Foundation will introduce the labs to 50 secondary schools within three years. The labs, distributed by Industrial Technical Supplies, are aimed at addressing recurring challenges of space, resources and technology in the education sector. Additionally, as part of the project the Digicel Foundation will create renewable energy solutions in 15 schools which will impact the operational costs associated with running and maintaining those institutions.