Toledo students compete in science fair
It is sometimes called the forgotten district, but as improved infrastructure, transport and communications services bring Toledo closer to the rest of Belize, the media is paying more attention. This morning I made a quick trip south and with the help of the Belize Zoo discovered that Toledo is home to a growing number of budding young scientists.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Students from 12 primary schools from the Toledo District gathered at the sports complex in Punta Gorda. The boys and girls were not there to compete in any sporting activities. But instead, the children were there to showcase environmental displays that are a part of this year’s Belize Zoo Toledo Outreach Science fair.
The displays highlighted a number of environmental problems affecting the Toledo district. Presently there is concern about the protection of our sea mammals and wildlife, pollution and the protection of the rain forests.
Celso Pott, Belize Zoo Education Director
“We ask them to demonstrate projects relating to the environment, global warming, pollution especially deforestation down here in the Toledo district.”
Each year the Belize Zoo hosts a similar fair for the country’s primary school at its headquarters at mile 31 on the Western Highway. However the travel expenses have been costly to the students of the Toledo district. In 1999, the zoo, in collaboration with a number of Toledo businesses hosted the first Science Fair for the children of that district.
Celso Pott
“Very impressive. The displays, I have seen a big improvement from last years’ display. They are more informational, we have more information and the students are more prepared now.”
The students are not only prepared but are very much concerned about the environment.
Shaniece Johnson, 12 yrs. old P.G Methodist School
“We are very into this pollution because we have seen how it affects our health and our country. We have done a pollution campaign at our school, by our school and the two neighbouring snack shops. We issue tickets to each child who we find littering. We did presentations to all the classes and the fee is 5 cents from Infant One to Standard 1 and 15 cents from Standard 2 and Standard 5. The Standard 6 students since we did this, since we are the ones bringing in this new law to our school, if anyone finds a Standard 6 student littering they will have to pay 50 cents for each piece of litter and the teachers are a dollar.”
Teachers as well were very much involved with the exhibition.
Wilma Coleman, Asst. Education Officer, Toledo District
“Most of the teachers and principals have worked several
days and nights to get ready for this special day today and they have done a great job. I should commend them greatly.”
Lourdes Coleman, the principal of Golden Stream Government Primary School says they are not only concerned about pollution but also the protection of the green iguana. Coleman says Iguanas are being killed and sold by the sackfuls.
Lourdes Coleman, Principal, Golden Stream Gov’t Primary School
“The people they like it for food and then that causes a problem because they start killing it out.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What’s the message you all are sending through this display?”
Lourdes Coleman
“Okay we have conservation areas, they are away from the lands of people who do milpa and lot of citrus production is going on and this destroys a lot of trees and those are habitats for it.”
The Iguanas are killed for food and profit. In order to catch and sell the iguana you must have hunter and dealer permits or be charged $1,000 for each offense. Pott says through continued environmental education, he believes the Belize Zoo will achieve its goal of providing a balance between development and environment.
Although all the schools were proud of their exhibitions, some receive awards for their outstanding efforts. In the environmental project category, 1st place went to PG Methodist School and 2nd place went to Big Falls Government School, while both Laguna Government School and St. Peter Claver School tied for 3rd place. In the arts category, Sunday Wood School took the 1st prize. 2nd place went to Laguna Government School and 3rd to St. Peter Claver. Both top winners were awarded a trip to the Belize Zoo.
