KINGSTON, Jamaica – The sixth staging of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) Conversations in Science Series will take place on January 20 at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew.

This year’s event, which is targeted at boys, will showcase the achievement of men in science, under the theme “Celebrating the Positive Value Men in Science Bring to the World, their Families and Communities”.

“It is important for us to show the youth, especially young men, alternatives that allow them to have a lifestyle that they can be proud of, where they can go down a career path that can bring them not just personal but national pride,” executive director of the SRC, Dr Charah Watson said.

SRC uses the Conversations in Science Series to promote science among the youth. The entity is looking to engage more than 500 students from over 100 schools across the country during the upcoming session.

Individuals will be able to participate in person for the first time in three years, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but arrangements have also been made to accommodate persons online on the SRC’s YouTube and Facebook platforms.

The day’s activities will include workshops and viewing of exhibits and all-male panel discussions, in a deliberate display of successful men in science and technology.

“We really want to change the narrative from what is now permeating in the public space about ‘fully dunce’ and ‘chopping the line’ to showing how [young men]… can bring about great economic prosperity, social mobility and advancement, not just for themself but for their community and the world at large,” Dr Watson said.

SRC’s 2022 Young Scientist of the Year and University of the West Indies (UWI) Chemistry Lecturer, Dr Peter Nelson, will be the guest speaker.

The discussion series continues in February with a session aimed at promoting science among young women.