MONTEGO BAY, St James — Javey Heaven is on a journey to recognising his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.

Heaven, 18, a sixth-form student at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in this western city, has always had a knack for pulling apart his toys, just to fit them back together. He told the Jamaica Observer that while he did not quite understand it at the time, it was only the beginning of what would become a passion for technical studies.

After completing his primary education at Gurney’s Mount Primary School in Cold Spring, Hanover, Heaven started grade seven at Herbert Morrison. During this transition Heaven said he became exposed to a different side of learning than he was used to, and was intrigued by the thought of using his hands for work.

“When I was younger I wanted to become a doctor because they make a lot of money but when I looked at all the sciences [I had] to do, they did not appeal to me. And then I came to Herbert Morrison and heard that they had an engineering club,” Heaven told the Sunday Observer.

According to Heaven, the industrial arts class had received an assignment to create projects that incorporate both the mechanical and engineering aspects of the technical area. The youngster stated that he immediately thought of building a helicopter, which got him good grades and commendations from the teacher who oversees the club, Kevin Coke.

He was eventually drawn into the student-led engineering club during his second year at Herbert Morrison.

“I have always pulled apart toys to see how they function, but I could not make anything. When I joined the engineering club I realised that instead of pulling down things just to understand how they work, we can figure out how they work and build them — that struck my interest,” he said.

Heaven added, “That opened my eyes to realise that I want to become an engineer…a mechanical engineer specifically because I love the designing aspect. Without mechanical there is no electrical because it is like the foundation of engineering — and that intrigues me.”

Since then Heaven has become heavily involved in the club’s activities, working on numerous projects for his school. He was appointed the club’s vice-president in the 10th grade and a year later, he became the president of the engineering club — a position he has maintained since then.

“Due to the former president graduating, the position was open and Mr Coke saw where I was the best fit for the position,” said Heaven before explaining the ideas behind some of his major projects with the club.

“I have made a model car; it is a remotely operated vehicle and a scaled-down version of a real vehicle. I have done a model engine as well, which is a scaled-down replica of a Toyota 22RE. We also did a model of a drill press machine in the mechanical shop; I took pictures, scaled down everything, redesigned it on my laptop, and 3D-printed it,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Heaven said that 3D printing has played a big role in all of their engineering projects. On top of that, the student pointed out that his projects are also geared towards assisting his school’s ability to teach technical subjects to its students. This, he told the Sunday Observer, is his way of giving back to the institution that has poured so much into him.

“These projects were engineering club projects but I had the idea of using these projects as teaching aids. The 22RE, as I said, is a scaled-down version of the life-size model so every part inside of the engine functions and moves just like the real thing. My idea was to have this engine help in teaching auto mechanics. Also, the drill press can be used in mechanical engineering technology to teach machine devices because we learned about that. Since it is a replica, it can be used,” he explained.

Heaven intends to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering next year, however he told the Sunday Observer that he was unimpressed with his recent Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results. The youngster copped two grade fives and a grade two, and said he would have to re-sit advanced mathematics as he was unsuccessful in passing the first unit of the exam.

This has not deterred his big dreams.

“I would very much love to study abroad if the opportunity arises but I was not satisfied with my last performance because to study abroad those grades won’t cut it, so I am working towards bettering my performance,” said Heaven.

“Even though I passed, my performance was not up to the standards of grades that I would love to see for myself — and compared to previous grades that I got, these recent ones are not up to par. I know that I can do better,” he stated firmly.