KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Secondary school students now have the benefit of an online tool to conduct energy research for projects and prepare for examinations.

Dubbed ‘Energy for young minds’ the awareness and education tool was developed by the Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS), which is headquartered at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in St Andrew.

“It provides energy information resources that can help students to get a better understanding of energy and the different concepts and aspects,” Team Leader at the CEIS, Curtis Deenah, told JIS News.

He said students preparing for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) tests will find it a useful resource as it covers energy topics in Physics, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Geography, Electrical Installations, and Environmental Studies.

Deenah noted that the learning tool is interactive and features games where students learn to save energy around the home and at school.

“So, while students are interacting they are learning about the various concepts,” he pointed out.

The website also has an ‘Energy in Action’ component, which showcases schools that have implemented renewable and energy efficient projects.

Deenah said that the development of the learning tool is part of efforts to equip young people to build a sustainable energy future in the Caribbean.   

“It is important for us to make sure that they are equipped with the necessary information or resources to make the correct or appropriate decisions as we see to our sustainability,” he said.

In addition to the online resource, Deenah informed that the CEIS has been conducting teacher training workshops in seven Caribbean countries to build awareness about energy concepts.

The initiative is being undertaken through support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other funding partners.

The CEIS is the Caribbean’s energy information arm established to provide a regional information service through a network of Caribbean countries in support of decision-making.

It has membership in 19 countries and the network operates through national focal points located primarily at Government agencies and public utilities in the territories.