CFBC Science Club Concludes Organic Gardening Competition

Nevis Special Education Unit receiving their award

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 12, 2012 (SKNIS): The Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Science Club has awarded the Special Education Unit in Nevis for their hard work and dedication in the recent Organic Gardening Competition, Take 5.2.

Thirteen (13) primary schools throughout St. Kitts and Nevis were each given five plants comprising of spinach and pakchoi in perforated bags which were filled with a special blend of potting soil made from carbon-rich, fill-to-press and top soil exposed by local road construction. These primary schools competed throughout May to see which school could do the best job at maintaining and documenting plant growth in their five containers.

The overall winner for this Take 5.2 was the Special Education Unit in Nevis. As one of the prizes the CFBC Science Club will help to make over their garden. Participating schools were awarded prizes in the categories of recording, photographing, experimenting, optimum plant growth and communication.

Violet Clake, Principal of the Special Education Unit in Nevis, expressed her enthusiasm about her school winning the competition and why it was important for them.

“I am very proud of the students for what they have achieved. It proved to them they can do anything they set their minds to,” Ms. Clarke stated. I wanted them to create a love for Agriculture and they did. I encouraged all the students in the school to get involved in Agriculture even if they were not enrolled in the Agriculture Programme. I also encouraged them to develop their own gardens at home because students should know that in these challenging economic times they will be able to use their skills as a tool for survival. Their dedication and involvement was truly amazing. I am happy to see that has paid off.”

Ms. Clarke explained that the make over could not have come at a better time as they will be launching their Lunch Programme in September. The school will incorporate their produce into the programme.

The Nevis Special Education Unit also received awards in the categories of photographing, experimenting and optimum plant growth. The Estridge Primary School was awarded in the category of recording while the Maurice Hiller Memorial Junior School was awarded in the category of communication. In addition, each participating school was given a certificate of participation from the CFBC Science Club.

Science Club President Tishanna Hazel indicated that Take 5.2 had been an enjoyable, learning experience for the students of the various primary schools.

“The CFBC Science Club will continue to advise and encourage other students and members of the community to become self sufficient by growing their own vegetables,” Ms. Hazel said.

The CFBC Science Club is an organization whose mission is to educate the CFBC community and the wider society about environmental issues, to improve environmental practices on campus and throughout the island, and to sponsor environmental activities.