The 2009 Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Science Fair turned out to be a great success with a number of subject matters having been well-thought out and showcased by the participating students assisted by their teachers.

The award-winning event was sponsored overall by National Commercial Data Services (NCDS), a joint project owned by Caribbean Commercial Bank and National Bank of Anguilla which also provides services to other institutions in the region.

Education and NCDS Officials and others

The science fair exhibition, coordinated by Education Officer, Winston Duncan, was mounted at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium for several days and was followed by the official opening and prize-giving ceremony on Friday, November 20. Mr. Duncan said that since the resumption of the science fair the quality of the exhibits had improved tremendously with better and bigger prospects for 2010.

He explained that in order to improve the competition, it was decided that first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth forms should compete against each other. It was also aimed at ensuring that the various concepts taught in the school were well understood by the students.

Some of the winning male winners from Campus B

Chief Engineer at NCDS, Jamaican John Rickards, said that one thing which featured in the projects was the power of the imagination. He was pleased with the contribution of his organisation to the sponsorship of the science fair and to hear that it was growing well at the school with the assistance of NCDS. He took the opportunity to explain the benefits of NCDS to both indigenous banks and its services to other regional institutions. (The NCDS occupies a hurricane and earthquake proof building on St. Mary’s Street, The Valley.)

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, observed that a lot of work had been done in the preparation of the various projects and she congratulated the students and their teachers for their efforts. “Many of the advances that have been made globally can be directly attributed to scientific research and development,” she commented. “To my mind it is not just about this year’s fair but it is about unlocking the potential that lies within our students to make significant contribution to world development. This school is a breeding ground for scientists and this science fair is a means of encouraging you to push beyond the boundaries of our human imagination and explore the infinite possibilities.”

Winners from 4th and 5th Form of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School

The science projects included the following: Physical Science: the effect of salt water on hot water and how to produce hydrogen; infrared light vs visible light; and surface tension. Technological Science: hot ice; speed and stability; crystal radio; how the direction of wind affects the strength of a turbine; alternate energy; how to make low cost speakers; Archimedes screw pump; hydro-electricity and electrolosis. Food Science: why is food essential; vinegar and baking soda; and the growth of mould on wheat; the effects of temperatures on ripening bananas; and which food produces the highest levels of alcohol.
Life Science: birds by Road Bay Pond; 100% germ free; right brain logic; are fingerprints patterns of heredity; and the effects of caffeine on blood pressure and Environmental Science: volcanic eruption; understanding the carbon cycle; the destruction of the ozone layer; alternate H2O sources; solar energy saving the world; the effects of humidity on lightning; the impact of neem solution on white flies; and investigating how atmospheric temperature varies with concentration of carbon dioxide.

Winners from 6th Form of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School

The science projects created a good deal of interest among the spectators, leaving many of them using the power of their imagination to come to grips with the exhibits and the formulas behind them.

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