Young scientists participate in the Generating Genius programme at the Biotechnology Lab, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
GENERATING GENIUS, an innovative and unique initiative developed by Dr Tony Sewell and a dedicated team of doctors and scientists from the University of West Indies, aims to nurture the academic and personal development of young males.
The select 20 boys are from the United Kingdom and Jamaica - all from the black diaspora. The programme focuses on the sciences, where the boys are undertaking a curriculum of chemistry, biology, bio-technology and medicine.
During the study programme, our young future scientists and doctors are also observing and participating in a range of cultural activities.
Already, the boys have met the Governor General of Jamaica, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the principal and vice-chancellor of the UWI. They have observed traditional Jamaican folk dances, participated in the celebration of Emancipation Day with a local community at Woodside, at the very place slaves once inhabited.
Not only do the boys experience a daily staple diet of local Jamaican cuisine, but have also enjoyed their own cooking sessions, where they have created traditional dishes at a cultural day out at Hope Gardens, alongside folk tales and storytelling.
These experiences have definitely enriched the boys' study programme, as it has enabled them to better understand the context of their environment.
This has particularly had an impact on the boys from the United Kingdom, some of whom are visiting their Jamaican home for the first time.
For the duration of the programme, the boys are to keep a personal journal - recording their day-to-day experiences and evaluating the programme from their own perspective.
Let's hear what the boys really have to say about the programme through selected journal entries.
TROY
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
Today was fun because we went to the lab and were making a tissue culture. I was working on magnesium sulphate. We were doing things that not many 12-year-olds that I know could ever do. I feel very fortunate that I made it this far and there are many people to thank, including my family and the people that made it possible like Tony Sewell, the vice-chancellor, the Gleaner Company Ltd. and the Jamaica National Building Society.
CAMIR RICKETTS
Wednesday, August 3
Today has been an energetic day, so many things have happened. After breakfast, we went straight to bio-technology class to finish what we had started yesterday. The media that we made yesterday were ready to be worked on. First, we had to build a MMU (clean area) and cover it with plastic. We dissected leaf of life and pineapple and put them into test tubes, Petri dishes and baby food jars which had the media.
After doing that, we put them in the growth room and left them. That was the high point of my day. The low point of my day was when we played football where we weren't supposed to and now we are to get punished, but I do not know what it is yet.
Saturday, August 6
Today has been a very nice day. After lunch, we went to King's House for Independence Day celebrations, which were very nice. We got to see the Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson and the Governor General again.
After that, we had lunch and then went back to Irvine Hall for family visits. I got to see my family again for the first time in one week.
After they left, we went to the Jamaica House to attend the Prime Minister's Gala. The gala was great, and we got to see some special Jamaican people who have proven that Jamaican people can be great. I really look forward to Culture Day tomorrow.
DARIUX
Friday, July 29
Friday was a good day because we went to the writing centre and the library. At the writing centre, we learnt how to have a debate.
In having a debate you must learn certain steps in it. At the library, we learnt that if you disobey the copyright law, you will be sent into jail because it is a law and laws are suppose to be obeyed.
After we went to the library, we went to the JCDC Festival concert at the Ronny Williams Entertainment Centre where we had the dancefest. I had a lot of fun because I was learning a lot of creative dances. At the centre, I met a lot of people whom I know.
JAMAL
Tuesday, August 2
Today was a very good day, as we studied bio-technology and it was fun. I really got into it and enjoyed the double lesson. In this lesson, we measured out 10 different types of solution.
We are going to mix it up to make a one litre solution. We will then take out 200ml of the solution and dilute it and add hormones to it.
Then we put it in a beaker and put the plants in the solution. This means that the plants growth will be a lot quicker and it has no chance of getting an infection.
Wednesday, August 3
Today was a very interesting day. We had bio-tech which I really enjoyed. I think that we are very lucky to get to do university work.
We were working on tissue culture which is the DNA that makes up the plant. We put some of the leaf of a plant into different media. Some would speed up the plants growth, some would multiply the plant.
I'm looking forward to doing other things, like blowing up something in the chemistry lab, which is every boy's dream. I look forward to the lab tomorrow.
ROBERT GRANT
Saturday, July 30
Today, we set out to go to a storytelling and food-making session at Hope Gardens, which was quite interesting.
The woman that did the session told the stories in an interesting way, because she involved everyone in the singing and dancing during the activity.
The food session was very interesting because we got to make different Jamaican delicacies and learn the different names of the foods. We made two dishes and I preferred the fritters made out of the vegetarian ingredients.
While we ate, we told stories of our own and I told a riddle of a man who couldn't reach the 13th floor button on an elevator.
When we got back, we relaxed and it was visiting day for all of the parents and relatives. My new room mate Xavier had his dad over and we got talking and I told him about my family and he gave Xavier some new slippers.
We then went down for dinner early at 5:30 and I ate quite a lot. We came back and relaxed and came to the computer room.
TEMAR
Sunday, July 31
Today was very spiritual and exciting. We went to church and one good word to describe it was NOISY.
After, we went straight to Fort Clarence Beach. That was very good because I got to ride some waves and we also played sand-fight which was very good. We stayed at Fort Clarence for about two hours.
After that, we left for Irvine Hall. We showered and then did some recreational activities like basketball, table tennis, and pat-ball.
ANTONIO SAHADEO
Sunday, August 7
Today, we woke up fairly early and went to breakfast about 8:00 in the morning. After breakfast, we went to the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, which is based at the UWI, Mona campus.
At the centre, we learned many new dances and the links between them. Some of these dances were based on the Rastafarian culture. We also had a chance to do dancehall dances and find the link between the older dances and the new ones.
After that experience, we went to have some more fun at the pool. After two hours at the pool we went back to reside at Irvine Hall and had even more fun.
