SRC Seeks to Transform Teaching of STEM Through Summer Attachment Programme

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is making significant strides in transforming how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are taught in Jamaica.

This is being done through its dynamic Summer Attachment Programme, coordinated by the Council’s Science and Technology Education Unit (STEU).

Coordinator, STEU, Leigia Hall, informs JIS News that the programme’s purpose is to popularise science and technology, specifically amongst youth in Jamaica.

“One of the avenues we sought to do so is by engaging our teachers, because by helping to improve the delivery of STEM concepts in the classroom, we can ultimately increase the number of STEM professionals coming out of Jamaica and inspire more young people to pursue these fields,” she says.

The four-day initiative, held from July 28 to 31 this year, combined virtual workshops with hands-on industry tours, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.

Since the programme was relaunched in 2022, it has taken a hybrid approach and has grown rapidly since its reintroduction, from 20 teachers in its first cohort to 129 educators from various primary and secondary institutions in 2025.

For this year’s sessions, the STEU Coordinator shares that the focus was on the scientific method, a concept that can often appear complex to students.

“We had experts come in to simplify STEM concepts in a different way, so teachers were exposed to new, more interesting and enlightening ways of introducing the topics,” Ms. Hall notes, adding that “a part of what we did this year, even in the virtual workshops, was to have STEM professionals show how these concepts apply in their daily work.”

“Teachers could then see and appreciate the practicality and, in turn, bring that to their students,” she says.

The first two days were dedicated to virtual workshops, while the final two days saw teachers visiting partner institutions, including the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, the Natural History Museum, and the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS).

Ms. Hall shares that these visits were selected based on surveys sent to schools before the start of each programme, ensuring that participants’ interests are reflected in the itinerary.

The programme culminated in a closing ceremony, where teachers received certificates of participation and industry partners were recognised for their contributions.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.

One teacher remarked that the seminar on the scientific method “broke down a complex, often abstract process into clear, practical steps that can be applied to real-world problems”.

Another praised the sessions as “very informative and engaging”, while others valued the opportunity to connect theory with real-life applications.

According to Ms. Hall, the programme aligns with Jamaica’s national STEM goals by making science accessible, engaging and relevant.

Beyond this initiative, the SRC develops specialised activities tailored to different educational levels, ensuring students are also engaged while building their critical-thinking skills.

“What we try to bring to the students is that STEM is the future,” Ms. Hall points out.

“We’re touching teachers at all levels of education to ensure that concepts are presented in ways that are fun, engaging, and encourage innovation, as the overarching intention is to have more innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs,” she continues.

With demand for the Summer Attachment Programme growing each year, the SRC is aiming to expand its reach, so that more teachers across the island can participate.

Ms. Hall’s message to educators considering joining is clear.

“We’re on a train that I don’t see stopping anytime soon. As the years go by, you will learn a lot, and something that might have seemed mind-boggling before will be made simple,” she tells JIS News.

Through initiatives like this, the SRC is not only equipping teachers with fresh tools and perspectives but is also laying the foundation for a stronger, innovation-ready Jamaica.