In the News

28 February, 2024

Making a LEAP for Education

Triplets Sammia, Serrenda and Brenden are bubbly fifth graders who love attending Uriah McPhee Primary School. They are naturally curious. Two years ago, their curiosity changed their educational journey.

They remember the day they heard a presentation at school about LEAP (Learning Environment to Accelerate Progress), an educational pilot programme developed by Lyford Cay Foundations to address the learning loss created by the pandemic. The tuition-free programme, for selected students in Grades 1 through 4, offers support in critical areas including numeracy, literacy and social emotional skills.
“LEAP sounded like fun. I didn’t really know what it was, but I wanted to learn more,” said Serrenda. With the help of their family, they applied and were accepted into the first cohort of 41 students. That’s when their learning adventure began.

For 10 Saturdays, they woke up early, packed LEAP backpacks, dressed in uniforms provided by LEAP, boarded a bus and rode to Lyford Cay International School (LCIS).

Their half-days at LCIS included interactive lessons to boost skills in reading, comprehension, written language and problem solving in math and numeracy. A hearty breakfast, healthy hot lunch, time on learning tablets and playtime on the LCIS playground were fun parts of the day! Their instructors were teachers from both LCIS and Uriah McPhee Primary, creating a unique public-private school partnership.
“I was excited to be a part of a programme that would help close the learning gap,” shared Ms. Tamea Johnson-King, a LEAP teacher from Uriah McPhee Primary. “The collaboration with other teachers gave us an opportunity to bounce ideas off of each other and students learned in an environment with minimal distractions.”

Mr. O’Niel Bain, LCIS’s Marketing, Advancement and Communications Director noted, ““An important strategic goal for LCIS is to develop partnerships that enrich the broader Bahamian community. We are delighted to share our facilities and expertise with LEAP.”

The triplets believe that LEAP helped them academically. Serrenda noted, “LEAP helped me stay focused and one step ahead.” Sammia shared, “Because of LEAP, I read more books!”

Lyford Cay Foundations is now expanding LEAP with a new partnership between E.P. Roberts Primary School and St. Andrews International School which will allow 40 additional students to participate. Brenden thinks this is a good thing.

“LEAP would be great for all students,” he said. “But you can’t force them. Doing better is something you have to want to do.”

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“Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

13 May, 2019

GAIN AN EDGE: Achieving College Dreams Through Summer Learning

Thanks to StemForce Bahamas, a grant from Lyford Cay Foundations and support from other donors, Bahamian public-school students like Carmetta Barry have developed a passion for learning science while also carving a path to higher education.

Carmetta Barry, pictured above, is a member of the Class of 2019 of FOCUS, a Lyford Cay Foundations’ college access programme. The 2018-2019 Head Girl of C. R. Walker Senior High is also the first Junior Minister for the Environment, who while in grade 11 was selected to participate in StemForce.

How did you learn about the StemForce programme?

When I was in Grade 8 at H.O. Nash Junior High School, a recruiter from StemForce visited and invited students to apply for their summer programme held in the US. I was immediately interested because I love science, geology and the environment.

What were the requirements to apply?

I had to submit an application, my report card and an essay on why I wanted to be involved. I went above and beyond the requirements by including copies of my science certificates and a photo of my trophy case. I was so happy when I learned I was accepted!

Tell us more about your experience in StemForce.

During the programme, we visit various locations and study science topics. We are tested daily and at the end of the summer, there is an overall test. We have to score at least 80 percent to be invited to return the next summer. I have scored an A grade each summer!

I have attended sessions in: Austin, Texas, where we studied rock types; Arizona, where we studied land formations, layers of sedimentary rocks and the development of beaches and sand dunes; and Portland, Oregon, where we studied volcanoes. I got to see an entire lake made of obsidian; it was beautiful because it looked like a huge black glass!

What has being a part of StemForce helped you develop or learn?

I’m shy around new people, but these programmes [FOCUS and StemForce] have helped me develop people skills. I met new people and broadened my horizons, gained knowledge on important scientific issues and narrowed down my career choice.

What advice do you have for students who want to explore science but may be afraid?

Science can be difficult because there is so much information; but if you have a passion for it, work hard, view tutorials on YouTube, and join science programmes at school, you will be just fine.

StemForce Bahamas started in 2015 when Geoforce, an outreach programme of The Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, partnered with the Bahamas Ministry of Education.

To select just the right students for this tuition-free, four-year summer programme, applicants had to go through a competitive process. Qualifications to be considered for StemForce included being a top performing Grade 9 student with at least a 90 percent average in core classes. Students had to also demonstrate interest by writing an essay outlining how they believed the programme would contribute to their career goals.

The programme ambitiously seeks to help students master complex geology and science concepts, gain exposure to college style learning and experience personal growth. StemForce participants have been testing their own limits each summer in The Bahamas and throughout Texas, Arizona, Utah and Oregon. Every day students independently managed their schedules, waking up on their own, preparing for intense 15-16 hour learning days and setting time to study. Being so far from home taught many to push their own boundaries and discover a new realm of capability.

Advanced principles were introduced daily such as the Law of Superposition, differential erosion, plate tectonics and volcano processes, crossbedding and much, much more. Summers began with a pre-test and each day ended with a test on material covered that day.

Although it’s been challenging work, students have loved learning up close in breathtaking locations that have included famous canyons, national parks and even craters. But most importantly, the students have demonstrated dramatic leaps in knowledge with pre-tests scores on topics averaging 43 percent and post-test scores soaring to an average of 83 percent.

When surveyed by StemForce, all students reported they plan to attend college, cited enjoying team building activities and expressed undeniable excitement about beginning their final StemForce summer.

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7 January, 2019

Succeeding at UB, what does it take?

Le’Andra Mackey’s determination to become a medical doctor, specializing in anesthesiology, remains resolute. That determination is demonstrated by her fervent studies to maintain a 3.5 GPA in her biology and chemistry classes. Just like an anesthesiologist constantly monitoring blood flow, breath and the heartbeat of a patient undergoing surgery, Mackey’s current rhythm of classes, rigorous study and volunteerism keeps her focused and driven.

The eighteen year-old high flyer from Government High School, who is the first in her family to attend university, was awarded a $40,000, four-year scholarship and inducted into the prestigious University of The Bahamas (UB) President’s Scholars Programme (PSP). In her first year, she’s thriving in all aspects of university life, but not without sacrifices. When asked what it takes to succeed in university, she reflected and said, “time management is the key. I create a weekly schedule where I allot time to complete assignments and study which is usually between Mondays and Fridays. I reserve my weekends for community service and volunteer work which I usually do with the Rotaract Club.”

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