Approximately 60 students at the Morant Bay Primary School were given a hands-on introduction to the world of aviation, during the 2026 staging of the DC Mentorship Program’s annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Camp.
The Camp, held on the school grounds on Saturday (March 7), provided several immersive experiences such as a flight cabin simulation, lessons on drone flying, engagement sessions with aviation professionals and flight navigation games and activities.
The DC Mentorship Program is a local non-profit organisation that provides opportunities and resources to students through scholarships, mentorship and an annual camp.
Each year, the organisation focuses on a different area of STEM for the camp. The Aviation theme for 2026, which is the third staging of the camp, was well received by Morant Bay Primary with students stopping at each of six stations with their ‘passports’, collecting stamps at each stop.
Founder and President of the organisation, Tanisha Francis, told JIS News that for the camp “we wanted to take a more interactive and fun approach but still, educational”.
“We have, firstly, our air cabin room where they’re going in there and it’s a simulation of a flight… they have boarding passes, they have the entire flight experience with flight attendants and all the elements of travelling on a plan,” Ms. Francis said.
“We also have a science of flight where they’re learning the four forces of flight… we have careers in aviation where we have representatives from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority who are here to teach the students about actual careers,” she added.
Ms. Francis stressed that initiatives like the STEM camp are critical, as technology continues to shape the global workforce.
“I think it’s so important because it is without question that our world is getting more into technology, and you don’t want your students to be left behind. I myself didn’t know about STEM until I was in sixth form… so having opportunities like these is super important so they have a fair chance at knowing what’s out there and they can make a better pick or a selection of what they want to do in the future,” she told JIS News.
The President, who currently resides overseas, disclosed that it was divine intervention that led her to choosing Morant Bay Primary School, as this year’s institution for the exciting activity.
“I really have to give God thanks, and it truly is a blessing to be here… a very needed programme for the stars that we have here at Morant Bay Primary. We genuinely believe that our students are already stars, so we just want to provide them opportunities to have those talents shine even more,” she said.
She also credited the success of the programme to strong support from sponsors, donors and volunteers “from so many different parts of the world”.
For her part, STEM Club Leader at Morant Bay Primary, Ontenette Campbell, expressed gratitude to the DC Mentorship Program for selecting the school for the camp and providing the experience to the club members and the wider student body.
“STEM is the future. These are the disciplines that will be taking over the world. In the near future, some careers will be obsolete, and the dominance will be STEM careers,” she stressed.
“I do hope that they (the students) will take something away from the camp because even for those who will be moving on in the future to universities, we as a STEM club want to build this foundation for them to choose careers wisely,” she added.
Teacher, Ali Bailey, who is also a part of the school’s STEM Club said, “We’re elated. We’re really happy that the DC Mentorship Program is here because exposing the students to this kind of initiative does wonders for them now.”
Acting Vice Principal, Sheron Williamson, also hailed the initiative while applauding the school’s STEM Club for allowing these kinds of experiences to the students.
“For me, STEM club is definitely the way to go because the students are able to draw on others, draw on their strengths, and this is how you’re able to pull out their creative genes. I’m all for STEM Club,” she said.
