HUNDREDS of students from over 30 schools across the island participated in an Open Day recently hosted by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) at its Hope Gardens complex in St Andrew.

The event was part of activities to mark Science and Technology Month in November.

It featured tours of the grounds and facilities, presentations and displays from the SRC and other entities.

Among the main attractions were robotics displays by Jamaica College as well as robotics enthusiast Kimroy Bailey. The students also viewed technologies powered by renewable energy such as a solar cooker. The 2014 National Innovator of the Year, Harlo Mayne, showed off his hydrogen-powered car.

The students were fascinated by the live demonstrations of scientific processes including confectionery making, tissue culture, and waste water treatment.

Attendees were also able to view and sample some of the products manufactured by the SRC, including the confectionery made at the event.

The day’s activities included contests in essay writing and oratory, poster, and performing arts.

Seaview Gardens Primary School emerged the winner for the primary section in the essay writing and oratory contest, with Campion College winning the high school segment.

Corinaldi Avenue Primary and Newell High were winners of the poster contest, with Cumberland High taking top honours in the performing arts contest.

Other schools that participated in the Open Day included Ebony Park HEART Academy, Glengoffe High, Spalding High, Mount Alvernia High, Ocho Rios Primary, Ferncourt High, Glenmuir High, Bog Walk High, The Manning’s School and Westwood High.

Communication officer at the SRC, Michelle Morris, said the objectives of the Open Day were to create greater awareness and appreciation for science and technology and to improve interaction between members of the public and the scientific community.

Morris stated that “the SRC is committed to utilising activities such as this to stimulate interest and increase awareness in science, technology and innovation”.

Other agencies and departments opened their doors to the public in November as part of activities marking Science and Technology Month.

These included Jamaica Bauxite Institute, Water Resources Authority, Mines and Geology Division, Jamaica Intellectual Property Office, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Bureau of Standards Jamaica, and the National Environment and Planning Agency.

Institutions, including the University of Technology, University of the West Indies Mona Informatics, and Northern Caribbean University also participated.