NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (May 25, 2022) — Malachi Lestrade of the Maude Crosse Preparatory School has been judged the winner of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Virtual Science Fair Competition 2021 on Nevis. To commemorate the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, the Environmental Sustainability Division of the OECS Commission partnered with the Ministry of Education in each of the Member States to host a virtual science fair. Students were asked to create a project on “How to create a natural resource” and submit a one-minute video summary.
Eleven-year-old Malachi submitted a plant conservation project using pepper seeds from his mother’s kitchen to raise seedlings in a used egg carton. He won the top prize of a Samsung Tablet. Second place went to Khalia Powell of Ivor Walters Primary School for her water conservation project, winning an Amazon tablet. Charlestown Primary’s Sha’Kayla Parris won third place for her water conservation project, taking home a Samsung smartphone. Dr. Ernie Stapleton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment, presented the prizes. Principal Education Officer Ms. Zahnela Claxton commended the participants: “We want to commend our students who participated in this competition because it was indeed an opportunity for you. We also want to commend the teachers, parents and all persons who assisted you. One year later you have received the good news that you are winners. Your projects speak volumes and reflect the calibre of work that our students can produce. Great job students; we are so proud of you.”