Mon | Feb 2, 2026

Hundreds of primary, secondary students showcase solutions at STEAM in Action Expo

Published:Monday | February 2, 2026 | 12:06 AM
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Students from Holmwood Technical High School organise their exhibit just before the start of the STEAM in Action Expo, which was held at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew last Thursday.
Ian Allen/Photographer
Students from Holmwood Technical High School organise their exhibit just before the start of the STEAM in Action Expo, which was held at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew last Thursday.
Students from the Beulah Primary and Infant School test their robots just before the start of the STEAM in Action Expo held at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew last Thursday.
Ian Allen/Photographer
Students from the Beulah Primary and Infant School test their robots just before the start of the STEAM in Action Expo held at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew last Thursday.
The packed auditorium at the Chinese Benevolent Association for the STEAM in Action Expo held last Thursday as part of activities for National STEAM Education Week 2026.
Ian Allen/Photographer
The packed auditorium at the Chinese Benevolent Association for the STEAM in Action Expo held last Thursday as part of activities for National STEAM Education Week 2026.
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Hundreds of students from primary and secondary schools across the island last Thursday participated in the inaugural STEAM in Action Expo, a major highlight of National STEAM Education Week 2026.

The Expo, held at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road in St Andrew, featured student-designed projects applying science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) to real-world challenges, including food security, climate resilience, renewable energy, health innovation, environmental sustainability, and automation.

Students presented working models and creative solutions, explaining the problems they identified and how their ideas could be improved or expanded.

Dr Francine Taylor-Campbell, education officer with responsibility for chemistry and STEAM coordination at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, said the Expo demonstrated the value of applied learning.

“This Expo shows what happens when students move beyond theory and apply their learning to real-life problems,” she said. “They are developing critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills that are essential for Jamaica’s future.”

Awards were presented across several categories recognising innovation, creativity, sustainability, and community impact. Awardees included

• Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf, recognised for inclusive STEAM projects such as Eco App and Trash to Treasure.

• Mount Zion Primary School for a hydroponics project.

• Immaculate Conception High School for Smart Coop.

• Georges Plain Primary School for a solar-powered lawn mower.

• Glenmuir High School for MediBot.

• Highgate Primary School for From Waste to ‘Wow’.

Latoya Harris-Ghartey, chief executive officer of the National Education Trust (NET), said the Expo highlighted the importance of hands-on learning.

“When students are supported to turn ideas into action, they begin to see themselves as innovators and contributors to their communities,” she said.

Damion Campbell, country manager of the British Council in Jamaica, noted that the Expo reflected STEAM learning at work across all levels of the education system.

“From our youngest learners to our secondary students, this is STEAM in action,” Campbell said.

“These experiences help prepare young people for life, work, and innovation.”

The STEAM in Action Expo is the main student showcase of National STEAM Education Week 2026, being observed from January 26 to 30 under the theme ‘Creating Solutions. Driving Change’.