II SPECIAL MEETING OF THEINTER-AMERICANOEA/Ser.W/XIII.3.2E

COMMITTEEON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY(COMCYT)CIDI/COMCYT/RE.2/doc.12/12

June 18 – 22, 2012 June 12, 2012

Virtual Forum - Washington, DC Original: English

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION FOR INNOVATION (GRENADA)

1

FEMCIDIPROJECT CONCEPT

SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE

AND TRANSFER OF THECNOLOGY

(Please refer to the Programmatic ApproachesforStrengthening National Quality Infrastructure and Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education)

(All information requested must be completed for the conceptto be considered)

1Information:

1.1Name of the Project:

Science and Engineering Education for Innovation

1.2Country submitting the Project: GRENADA

Name of the Institution: / T. A. Marryshow Community College
Name of the person preparing the concept: / Dr. Russell Steele, Deputy Principal.
Telephone: / (473)440-1389
Email address: /

1.3Participant(s) Country (ies): Include the following information for each participant country.

Participating Country: / St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Name of the Institution: / St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College
Coordinator: / Nigel Mc A. Scott, Deputy Director
Telephone: / 784-457-4503/784-528-5328
Email address: /
Brief description of the country’s participation on the designof the Project concept:
Discussions and agreements on the need for transformation of curricula and training of teachers in the tertiary institutions in the OECS;
Describe the capacity and experience of the Institution in the area related to the Project as well as in the execution of projects: There has been some work done on the curricula in engineering and technology in recent years but little in science education and utilization of project work, also minimal regional collaboration, while there is interest.
Participating Country: / Regional Agency
Name of the Institution: / Caribbean Association of Technologists, Technicians, Artisans and Craftsmen
Coordinator: / Clyde Phillip
Telephone: / 868-762-9109; 868-673-2350
Email address: /
Brief description of the country’s participation on the design of the Project concept:
Discussions and agreements on the need for transformation of curricula and training of teachers in the tertiary institutions in the OECS; The participation of CATTAC will be in the area of quality assurance as it relates to Certification, Registration and Licensure of the graduates of the programmes at the various levels. The goal of CATTAC is to have as many practitioners as possible credentialed in their various industrial fields of work.
Describe the capacity and experience of the Institution in the area related to the Project as well as in the execution of projects: CATTAC is trying to ensure that the many practitioners in the field with or without formal training and those newly entering the field to ensure that the competence is up to national and international industry standards, as well as constantly upgraded to keep up with new technologies. CATACC will therefore build stronger relations with the Colleges and universities participating in this project.
Participating Country: / Dominica
Name of the Institution: / Dominica State College
Coordinator: / Dr. Donald Peters, President
Telephone: / 767-440-4941
Email address: /
Brief description of the country’s participation on the design of the Project concept:
Discussions and agreements on the need for transformation of curricula and training of teachers in science and technology of the tertiary institutions in the OECS;
Describe the capacity and experience of the Institution in the area related to the Project as well as in the execution of projects: Dominica State College has already begun to introduce these concepts in the transformation of the teaching process and curriculum reform. They are very committed to participation in the project;
Participating Country: / Caribbean Regional Organisation
Name of the Institution: / University of theWest Indies Open Campus and Faculty of Engineering
Coordinator: / Dr. Hazel Simmons-McDonald
Telephone:
Email address: /
Brief description of the country’s participation on the design of the Project concept:
Initial discussions and expressions of interest in collaboration between the colleges of the non campus territories of the University through the Faculties of Engineering, Agriculture and Science.
Describe the capacity and experience of the Institution in the area related to the Project as well as in the execution of projects: The University is a regional university which has several programmes and units that will have the capacity to contribute to the process involved in the successful implementation of the project. Further discussions with the Open Campus and the faculties of engineering and of Agriculture among others will have to take place if selected.

1.4Estimated duration (max. 3 years): 3 YEARS

1.5 Estimated total amount (US $): $385,000

Amount requested to
FEMCIDI US$ / Counterpart
(participating countries) US$ / External donor(s)/partner(s)
US$
385,000 / 200,000 (in-kind) / $100,000

If the project has any external donor(s)/ partner(s), please list them below:

2Framework Program and Line of Action:

2.1Programmatic Approach: Identify oneof the Programmatic Approaches approved by the OAS under which the project concept is presented (Please refer to the Programmatic Approaches forStrengthening National Quality Infrastructure and Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education).

Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education

To improve the quality of science and engineering study programmes in the Eastern Caribbean Community Colleges through collaboration among each other and with regional and CARICOM national universities, international exchanges, and public-private sector partnerships. This will include backward and forward linkages to secondary and primary schools to stimulate an excitement and interest leading to an increase in the numbers of students graduating with science and technologyand pursuing post secondary education. Also, the project will review the curricula to ensure the study and application of sustainable energy science and engineering isincluded in the tertiary education science and engineering programmes.

2.2Line of Action: Identify one of the objectives in which the project concept is outlined and specify the direct relation between this objective and the one of the project concept (Please refer to the Programmatic Approaches forStrengthening National Quality Infrastructure and Promoting Improvements in Science and Engineering Education).

To improve science and engineering study programs in LAC universities through content upgrade, the incorporation of global competencies and entrepreneurial skills and academia-public-private partnerships (e.g. co-ops, internships, scholarships, joint cooperation projects).

3Background, Justification

3.1Problem: Include a brief descriptionof the problem / situation that the Project seeks to solve. Referring to the situation or circumstances of negative nature that the proposal will contribute to solve, and a reference about the context (location and key actors) where this problem / situation occurs (1 page max).

While Agriculture is the main foreign exchange earner in Grenada’s economy and that of the other three Windward Islands (St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Dominica), agriculture is mostly practiced with a low level of technology, and limited productivity. At the level of the Ministry of Agriculture there is an attempt by senior agricultural scientist to introduce science and technology into the practice of agriculture and farming, but it is a slow process due to the limitations of farmers, the extension workers and government resources.

Agriculture is taught in one year and two year programmes at the T.A.MarryshowCommunity Collegebut it has not been able to attract many students to the programme. It is taught in secondary schools as well in Grenada, but agriculture is still perceived as a backbreaking risky business because young people relate this to the experience of their parents. It is also seen as an easier science or not as a science at all. At the same time the Ministry of Agriculture is promoting the use of science and technology to make agriculture more productive in Grenada. Involving students in solving problems related to the improvement in the quality of the output of production in the private and public sector can lead to motivation and learning in science and technology in the education system. At the college level collaborative projects between agriculture, technology and pure science students can contribute to innovation and stimulate increased interest in applied science.

Students entering the science and technology programmes at the college level are often weak in mathematics and conceptual thinking. There needs to be improvements at the secondary and even primary levels in order to improve the tertiary level. Collaboration among science teachers at all levels can contribute to the sharing of ideas and approaches to teaching science and mathematics at all levels of the education system. This could also include linking teachers of science and technology with the specialist and entrepreneurs trying to solve a problem in the productive or social sector. A few examples are:

In Grenada there are a few research projects looking at alternative feeding systems for small ruminants to meet the levels of production required. Research includes, yield and cost studies, drying techniques, manual baler experiments, fermentation/silage studies for increased by-pass proteins, maximum yield pruning and the feasibility of agro forestry careers being created in Grenada to supply the Protein From Waste(PFW) plant with plant matter for feedstock. While the primary purpose of PFW is to create agricultural jobs in the raising of livestock by reducing feed costs, its secondary purpose is the recycling of several significant waste streams thereby the reduction of them. The boiler fuel to make steam will be using lubricating oil, a major pollutant which has no disposal infrastructure on island. Waste feedstocks to be processed in the cooker include, fish offal, brewer’s spent grains, chicken offal, super market spoilage, marketing board distressed stock, hotel & restaurant plate scrapings and collected vegetable matter from fruits in bloom or cleared land. Scientifically creating a rich source of organic fertilizer from farm waste office trash, and vegetation from land clearing activities creates an opportunity to redirect hundreds of thousand tons of materials that would otherwise be burnt or dumped often creating a health hazard.

These are some of the practical scientific, technological and social issues that could excite students at all levels working together to solve local problems and create productive activity. The project proposes that through collaboration networks between teachers of colleges, universities and schools, both electronically and face to face, working together on projects, the teaching and learning of science and technology can lead to innovation and increased research leading to solutions to real problems.

3.2Synergies: Identify other similar initiatives in the country and/or region and describe the potential for synergies with these initiatives.

A CARICOM Regional Workshop on Research, Development and CapacityBuilding at the University Level to Support Renewable Energy Development in the Caribbean:

“TOWARDS INCREASED ENERGY SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY”organised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in collaboration with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, with the support of the European Union, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP-GIZ) and the Fostering European Union – Caribbean Research and Innovation Networks (EUCARINET) Project. The purpose of the workshop was to establish a dialogue and to share information among Caribbean tertiary educational institutions that are engaged in (or plan to engage in) research, development (R&D) and capacity building in the Renewable Energy field. This was part of the implementation of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Capacity Support (CRECS) Project. The Workshop was also convened as a part of an effort to establish a strategic approach within the context of the mandate from the CARICOM Heads of Government to develop the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) which seeks to establish RE targets and strategies towards expedited transformation of the Regional energy sector.

The Government of Grenada Energy Policy seeks to harness indigenous renewable energy resources. The government collaborates with the Grenada Electricity Corporation (GRENLEC) to exploit the potential for wind and Geothermal Energy. The objective is to supply an energy mix of 10 MW wind and 20 MW geothermal generated electricity in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The T.A. Marryshow Community College Mirabeau Farm School to be supported by the Ministry of Finance and the EU to improve the quality of the curriculum and the training resources including making maximum use of recycled products in the demonstration of a productive farming process for teaching and learning. Collaboration with other OECS Colleges in the development and improvement of agricultural education to include research and development and possibly leading to Centres of Excellence in the various Member States colleges;

The Ministry of Agriculture research projects such as the diseases affecting bananas, cocoa, and fruits; Environmental research dealing with issues of drought and conservation of water,of flooding and the significant amount of agriculture land on slopes leading to land degradation due to lack of preventative practices; recycling vegetation to avoid burning and producing heavy concentrations of smoke into the atmosphere; this could also include a study on asthma incidence – chronic and acute, seasons and it’s relationship to the time of the year when slash and burn is prevalent;

4Description of the Project

4.1Goal (general objective for development) to which the Project would contribute: It refers to the longer term goal that contributes to achieving the purpose, which is always expressed as a contribution.

To stimulate consistent socio economic growth of the Eastern Caribbean countries through innovation in science and technology contributing to the development of Micro, Small and Medium size Enterprises

4.2Purpose or specific objective of the Project (one purpose per project): Definition of the effect / direct impact or achievement to be reached by the Project. Answers the question: What is the main transformation expected to be reached at the end of the project?

Improving the quality of science and technology education and research in the colleges and universities of the Eastern Caribbeanand increasing the number of students qualifying for university entry in science and engineering.

4.3Products/Results: Brief description of the products as results.

Description of the Products / Base line / Indicators
Product 1: / Increase in the quality and quantity of students achieving a minimum pass in science and mathematics at the CSEC level and accessing post secondary education; / Under 50% of students sitting the CSEC science exam achieve at least a pass mark; / CSEC Annual results
Product 2: / Improved science and technology curricula at colleges and universities in the Caribbean to increase collaborative approaches to teaching and learning; / Existing curricula at colleges and universities in the OECS does not include research and collaboration on projects across disciplines or is practiced at a minimum level; / Curricula of previous years and revised curricula as well as reports on the implementation and practice;
Product 3: / Increased number of science and technology students of OECS colleges and Universities contributing to innovation and developmentin private and public sector enterprises. / This does not exist as a formal policy of the education sector in collaboration with the private sector in the OECS Member States; / Reports on activities and results of projects in which student participated;

4.4Description of activities and estimated costs:

Description of the Activities planned for the project.
List products and activities / Budget
Estimated in US$
Product 1 / Increase in the quality and quantity of students achieving a minimum pass in science and mathematics at the CSEC level and accessing post secondary education; / 110,000
Activity 1.1 / Review and analysis of the science, maths and technology curricula followed by revision of curricula/syllabus, and teacher education content and processes; / 20,000
Activity 1.2 / Establishment of technology, engineering, science and mathematics teachers networks among OECS teachers using the ITEN (OAS) electronic network, and one annual face to face conference per year; / 30,000
Activity 1.3 / Training of technology and engineering teachers, mathematics and science teachers, in the use of ICT to increase collaborative teaching and learning practice among primary, secondary teachers; / 50,000
Activity 1.4 / Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the process and the achievement of results. / 10,000
Product 2 / Improved science and technology curricula at colleges and universities in the Caribbean to increase collaborative approaches to teaching and learning; / 210,000
Activity2.1 / Review and revision of technology, science and maths teacher education at tertiary levels; / 30,000
Activity 2.2 / Establishment of technology, engineering, science and mathematics teachers networks among OECS teachers using the ITEN (OAS) electronic network, and one annual face to face conference per year; / 30,000
Activity 2.3 / Training of technology and engineering teachers, mathematics and science teachers, in the use of ICT to increase collaborative teaching and learning practice among primary, secondary and tertiary teachers; / 40,000
Activity 2.4 / Exchange and collaboration of students and staff among colleges and universities of the regionto participate in research projects or other learning attachments in the private and public sector. / 10,000
Activity 2.5 / Exchange and collaboration of students and staff among colleges and universities in international exchanges; / 100,000
Product 3 / Increased number of science and technology students of OECS colleges and Universities contributing to innovation and development in private and public sector enterprises. / 65,000
Activity 3.1 / Increase the number and quality of group projects required of students to the realities of the socio economic conditions of the countries; / 5,000
Activity 3.2 / Involve the private and public sectors in the development of the curricula, and identification of research and development needs and opportunities for collaboration on projects. / 10,000
Activity 3.3 / Plan and implement science and technology exhibitions annually starting at the end of the second year of implementation, and hold a regional conference to coincide with the fair rotating annually in the Member States; / 40,000
Activity 3.4 / Establish a Science and Technology prize for the top National student in college graduation, and an OECS prize for the top student in the region, taking into consideration the broad criteria related to innovation and development. / 10,000

Repeat for each product and its corresponding activities.