JPS Foundation (JPSF) and Scientific Research Council (SRC) have officially joined forces to host the 11th staging of the Young Inventors and Innovators Competition.

This collaboration was solidified through the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at SRC’s offices in Kingston, recently.

The competition is a key initiative under SRC’s mandate to foster greater awareness, interest, and understanding of science and technology among students across Jamaica. This year’s contest will be powered by JPSF, aligning with its commitment to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in schools.

JPSF head, Sophia Lewis said the foundation’s involvement has seen secondary school students participating through their Power Up Energy Club, a programme established in high schools by the JPSF.

“The Power Up Energy Club is a means of encouraging innovation and solutions-oriented thinking, particularly in the areas of energy conservation and climate action,” she said.

As part of the competition SRC spearheaded a pitch competition for students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The top-performing schools have since moved on to SRC’s National Science Fair, scheduled for September 26 from 9:00 am to 400 pm at Hope Gardens, St Andrew. There, they will showcase their original inventions and innovative solutions.

The partnership offers secondary school students an exclusive opportunity to qualify for JPSF’s Power Up Energy Club Innovation Challenge, which will culminate at JPSF Climate Action Conference and Expo in November. The brightest young minds, through their schools’ Power Up Energy Club, will present their ideas to key stakeholders in the fields of energy, climate action, and sustainability.

“This partnership represents a critical step in empowering our youth to think creatively and address real world issues,” said Dr Charra Watson, SRC’s executive director.

She continued: “We are excited to see the incredible inventions and ideas that will emerge throughout this competition.”

The Young Inventors and Innovators Competition engages students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving, paving the way for a sustainable future.