IN JAMAICA: School bag $1.8 million in Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s (PCJ) energy competition....winners of its 2014 Schools Energy Programme Competition. Westwood High are winners of the 13-15 age category

 Wednesday, July 02, 2014    

THE Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) has awarded cash prizes valued at $1.8 million to the winners of its 2014 Schools Energy Programme Competition.

The initiative, which is the PCJ's major vehicle for promoting energy education among Jamaica's youth, attracted primary and high school students from 75 institutions across the country for the 2013-14 school year.

GIRL POWER: Westwood High, winners of the 13-15 age
group category of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s
(PCJ) Schools Energy Programme Science Competition
accept their trophy from the Minister of State in the Ministry
 of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining, Julian Robinson.
The winning team of (from left) Makalia McBean, Deena Dunkley,
 Ashe-Monique Lewis and Mishka Chung (absent) won
$200,000 cash from Wigton Windfarm. Sharing in the
 moment is Abigail Cannigan, the team’s teacher.

They were exposed to a variety of energy-related issues including energy efficiency, conservation and alternative energy sources as well as the use of energy efficient products, technologies and practices.

In addition, they participated in guided tours of local entities involved in energy production including the Petrojam Refinery in Kingston, Wigton Windfarm in Manchester and the JPS hydro plant in St Ann.

"As the government entity with responsibility for public education on energy issues, the PCJ places special emphasis on reaching the nation's youth," said Winston Watson, the PCJ's acting group managing director.

"We have adopted this strategy in order to help our young people to develop an understanding of the challenges our country faces because of high energy costs. This, in turn, should help them to develop lifetime habits and practices that involve energy conservation," he added.

Students from participating schools were invited to submit entries in the PCJ's essay, science and poster competitions. In each of the categories, entrants were challenged to offer solutions to some of the critical energy issues currently confronting the country's decision-makers. more