SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Eleventh grade science student Jayden Hinds’ creation of an app that helps homeowners and businesses mon
itor their energy use pushed him to the top of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) challenge staged as part of the first-ever STEM day hosted by his school, Manning’s.

The app, which promotes sustainable development in the Caribbean, bested entries from students across Jamaica. The youngster explained how it works.

“They can have a comprehensive visualisation of how much energy they’re using and spending on energy so that they can be better informed of better measures to use to mitigate the amount of spending on electricity,” Hinds said.

He added that the dual-use app helps users save money and also promotes a healthier ecosystem by helping to reduce petroleum consumption which will in turn reduce carbon emissions.

“As an ambassador of STEM that spent sleepless nights studying, revising and practising the things that I am passionate about, to receive this trophy is simply amazing,” Hinds told the
Jamaica Observer at the event on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old, who said he has a natural curiosity for STEM, has his sights set on a career in engineering, medicine and/or data science. However, his end goal is to have a career in STEM that will “benefit all members of society”.

Young Hinds extended heartfelt gratitude to the individuals who were instrumental in him winning the coveted prize.

“I give the biggest props to my motivator Mr Dane Campbell, Professor Baugh from Harvard University, and teaching assistants from JamCoders 2023. I’d also like to big up Professor Jabari Nelson and Nile Anderson,” he said while smiling from ear-to-ear.

Campbell is his school’s STEM programme coordinator, and JamCoders is an annual summer camp on algorithms and programming for high school students and Anderson — a Manning’s alumni — is a 2024 Rhodes scholar.

In commenting on Hinds’ success, Manning’s Principal Steve Gordon described him as a promising young man who has a passion for engineering.

“He’s an extremely bright and talented young man who has been coding from as far back as second form,” Gordon said.

Hinds walked away with a trophy courtesy of e-Learning Jamaica (e-ljam), among other prizes.

“He’s determined and works well on his own. His project [at the event] was a single person project. Notwithstanding, he’s one of the executives of the engineering club where he works well with the other students,” the principal said of the aspiring engineer.

He added that Hinds has previously won sectional prizes at other regional and international STEM-based competitions.

During Tuesday’s event, regional director in the Ministry of Education in charge of Region 4, Dr Michele Pinnock, charged students to harness the power of STEM.

Participating schools included Frome Technical High — which placed in the top three — Rusea’s High, Excelsior High and second-place winner Nain High, among others.

“As we embark on this journey together, your theme, ‘STEM solutions for a sustainable future’, resonates deeply,” she said as she extended greetings on behalf of Minister of Education and Youth (MoEY) Fayval Williams and the entire MoEY staff, particularly those in Region 4.

“Today we stand at a critical juncture in human history. Our planet faces numerous challenges, from climate change and environmental degradation to resource depletion and social inequality. However, amidst these challenges lies a beacon of hope; the incredible potential of STEM,” Pinnock stressed.

She said STEM is a solution to pave the way for a sustainable future.

“The STEM approach integrates all disciplines. It offers us not just a glimpse but a road map towards a world where humanity thrives in harmony with nature; from renewable energy technology to sustainable agricultural practices, from innovative waste management systems to advanced health solutions. We in Region 4 and at the Ministry of Education understand that STEM — or STEAM, whichever approach you prefer — is certainly what is going to be driving us towards a sustainable future,” Pinnock stressed.

“The journey is not one that can be embarked upon by a few. It requires collective effort and engagement and so we congratulate Sir Gordon, principal of Manning’s School and the team for bringing us all together to become agents of change,” she added.