The event, held in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and the Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica (ASTJ), took place at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, and included schools from the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth.

Innovative displays, including making electricity from plastic, manufacturing ethanol from cassava and operating egg hatcheries with black sand as a heating component, were presented, among others. But it was the team from deCarteret College that ran away with the winner's trophy and cash prize along with two sectional awards.

Winning project

Grade nine students from deCarteret College, Duvoy Melbourne and Anique Warren, under the guidance of their science teacher Astley Fletcher, set out to construct an energy source which would generate the energy it needs to sustain itself, while supplying additional power for other devices, such as household appliances.

The resulting project entitled 'Self Sustaining Energy Source' earned for the team the winner's trophy, plaque for best male presenter, microscope for best grade 7-9, scientific kit for best illustration of energy use and $170,000 for the school and members of the team.

deCarteret College's project made use of a car battery, alternator, inverter, and electric motor. The students claim the system is clean, does not release carbon dioxide, and is cost effective.

Other big winners at the Mandeville JPS Science and Technology Expo, were second-place winners, Kilsyth Primary School, from Clarendon, with it's display 'Cocoa - Husk, Hear this! It's a Must' and third-place winners, Brown's Town High, with their 'Mobile Garden, Clean, Cheap and Organic'.

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