The Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation (Grace & Staff) recently hosted Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon at its vibrant STEM Centre summer camp in downtown Kingston, which brought together 40 enthusiastic students from Jamaican primary and high schools for two weeks of hands-on learning.

During the visit, Morris Dixon spent time with the campers, offering words of encouragement before touring the facility and seeing first-hand the innovative work being done by the next generation of thinkers and creators.

“This is the future of Jamaica and we have to celebrate initiatives like this that teach our children about where the world is going, and which give them the skills to do great things,” remarked Senator Morris Dixon. “This is such a wonderful day, seeing how our children are learning how to code and about artificial intelligence.”

Frank James, GraceKennedy Group CEO, who accompanied Senator Morris Dixon on her tour, added, “GraceKennedy is deeply committed to youth development and nation-building. This STEM camp, championed by our Grace & Staff Foundation, exemplifies GK’s We Care ethos by providing a platform for young Jamaicans to explore their potential, innovate, and ultimately, unleash their greatness. We believe investing in their education and well-being is an investment in Jamaica’s future.”

The annual camp aims to ignite curiosity, fuel creativity, and immerse students in the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) through engaging, interactive sessions.

Held from July 7–11 for primary students and July 14–18 for secondary students, this year’s camp was guided by the theme, Innovate. Elevate. Unlocking STEAM Potential.

Students participated in a range of activities, including polymer experiments, forensic investigations, and building bridges and vehicles from recycled materials. They also explored artificial intelligence, coding with Micro:bit devices, and learned about engineering concepts through practical challenges. Arts are also integrated into the camp, with students performing skits, poetry, and songs focused on environmental topics. Interactive mathematics sessions rounded out the technical components.

Beyond the core STEAM activities, the camp also provides crucial enrichment sessions.

Primary school students participated in workshops on managing mental health, while high school students received valuable guidance on career preparation, equipping them with essential life skills.

Each camp week concluded with a celebratory wrap-up, during which all participants received school supplies, certificates of completion, and prizes, recognising their hard work and participation.