Students at Ianthe Pratt Primary School in the Bight explored science and literacy during the Week of the Young Child on October 5 and October 6. The two-day event integrated robotics, drone demonstrations, and creative reading sessions to connect classroom learning with practical, real-world discovery for young learners.
Principal Neekimo King and Early Childhood Education Officer Heidi Williams organized the initiative to boost engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Monday featured a robotics competition using Lego toys and a drone flight demonstration by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. On Tuesday, students participated in a “Reading a Trunk” event, where older pupils read to younger peers. Math Specialist Renae Reed, who helped coordinate the activities, stated, “We decided to give the kids an adventure.” The school intentionally selected female presenters for the STEM sessions to encourage young girls to envision themselves in careers like marine biology and civil engineering.
These efforts aim to address ongoing concerns regarding literacy and numeracy performance across the Turks and Caicos Islands. By blending hands-on technology with shared reading, the school hopes to foster a lasting enthusiasm for education. This strategy encourages students to look beyond traditional expectations and consider a broader range of future professional paths.