After 70 years, Bellairs may take on new role: climate crisis education

The Ministry of Education is forging stronger ties with McGill University’s Bellairs Research Institute to bolster Barbados’ science and technology education, with a focus on addressing climate change and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

The development was announced as the ministry joined with the Canadian university’s leadership, diplomats and students from various schools to celebrate 70 years of the Folkestone, St James research centre with a full day of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) activities.  Bellairs was founded in 1954 to foster scholarly interest in the tropics.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Sandra Husbands emphasised the importance of partnerships in developing technologies that will help Barbados adapt to climate change and ensure sustainability across various sectors.

“What we have been working on is building the types of relationships, the people of like mind. People who have a view of the world that says the world will be better and we will make it better, and one of the ways in which we do that is through science,” she said.

“And therefore, the relationship that we have here with the Bellairs Research Institute is an important one because it allows us to be partners on a journey to seek to improve what happens on our globe.”

Husbands highlighted Barbados’ vulnerability to climate change, citing challenges such as hurricanes, droughts, and rising sea levels.

“We are probably one of the most vulnerable countries. We are in a zone where hurricanes pass at a rapid rate during the hurricane season, which has now extended, to a place where droughts occur. And because of the melting of the glaciers, sea rise is going to affect Barbados, and that is going to affect how we live and make a living as a nation. This will affect all of you as children.”

She noted that the government is pursuing partnerships to create new earning opportunities as climate change threatens traditional income drivers like tourism and agriculture.

“That’s how we make money to send you to school, provide healthcare, and housing. Because climate change is going to challenge all of that, as a government, we are working assiduously with our partners across the globe to press for the importance of climate resilience and funding to enable countries like ours to adapt.”

Husbands also underscored the importance of equipping children with strong skills in mathematics and science, announcing plans to retrain maths and science teachers.

“We need to retrain our teachers to effectively teach maths and science to make it fun and engaging, so that children not only understand it but are excited to pursue careers in these fields,” she explained.

The minister outlined government initiatives to build resilience, including adopting better building practices, improving water management, and enhancing agriculture.

“We must do things differently to ensure clean water is available, improve agricultural practices, and manage waste sustainably. To achieve this, we will need new technologies, and that requires young people like you to master science, maths, and engineering,” she said, adding that the nation is counting on the next generation of scientists to develop solutions for these challenges.

Husbands revealed that discussions are already underway with McGill to deepen collaboration.

The Canadian university’s president and vice-chancellor, Professor Deep Saini, expressed the institution’s commitment to expanding its global presence and contributing meaningfully to addressing global challenges.

“We have embarked on exploring opportunities for McGill to extend its physical presence worldwide in strategic locations where we can make a difference. Where better than Barbados, where we’ve been for 70 years? We are seriously considering deeper roots and a broader footprint here,” he said.

Professor Saini emphasised the role of science in solving global issues and encouraged students to engage not only in science but also in its intersections with social sciences and humanities.

“The complex problems the world faces will be solved by the convergence of various disciplines, with science forming the foundation,” he said, challenging students to prepare themselves for leadership roles.

Thursday’s activities were a collaboration between the United States, Canada, and Barbados, involving the Ministry of Education, Bellairs, the US Embassy, and the Centre of Science and Industry (COSI).

Dr Frederic Bertley, COSI’s president and CEO, highlighted the importance of partnerships, urging students to embrace collaboration in their future endeavours.

COSI is distributing 400 COSI Learning Lunchboxes – which include STEAM activities and experiments – to students from several schools.

Marvin Brathwaite, First Secretary with the Barbados High Commission in Canada, underscored the significance of strengthening ties with institutions like McGill University.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade recognises the importance of creating and deepening relationships with higher-learning institutions like McGill University,” he said, noting that such collaborations would help Barbados amplify its voice on global platforms.

louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb