Science students at Layman E. Scott Sr. High School are starting the new school year with an updated laboratory, thanks to a donation from the Water Authority. 

The Authority provided USD 30,000 worth of equipment as part of its 40^th Anniversary Celebration. The equipment was on the school’s “wish list,” including physics kits, human body models, lung kits, and electricity kits. 

The new equipment was unveiled on Friday, 8 September. The unveiling began with a short ceremony at the school hall, followed by a laboratory tour. Students, school and government officials, the Deputy Premier, Water Authority senior management, board members, and staff were all in attendance.

One of the Authority’s guiding principles for the 40th-anniversary celebrations is student education, particularly related to career opportunities within the water industry, as S.T.E.M. subjects are critical to the work of the Authority. 

“The Authority wants to aid the education development of our students”, explains Dr Gelia Frederick van-Genderen, Director of the Water Authority. “This donation aligns with our overall strategic work to support the development of future water professionals, as evidenced by our Annual Scholarship and Summer Internship Programme. We hope the students will become more interested in the water industry and science subjects because of this new equipment. Many of our own S.T.E.M. staff members are former students of the school and have come through the science program, and we are confident we’ll see more join us in the future!” she adds. 

“We are very grateful for this generous Water Authority donation,” says school principal Devon Bowen. “Having this equipment means we can develop robust lessons to enrich our students’ learning,” he adds. 

“The Water Authority’s commitment to education and their recognition of the pivotal role that S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education plays in our society is commendable,” remarks the Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and District Administration & Lands. “S.T.E.M. education is not just about memorizing formulas or conducting experiments; it’s about nurturing inquisitive minds, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring innovation. The laboratory we inaugurate is not just a physical space; it is a place where dreams take shape, where curiosity is ignited, and where the foundations of future careers are laid.” 

In addition to the unveiling ceremony, the Authority also held a Customer Appreciation Day in Cayman Brac as part of its anniversary celebration. The event also took place on Friday, 8 September at the Cayman Brac Reef Resort. Visitors were able to meet with Authority staff, sign up for a piped water account and online enjoy food and drinks, as well as take part in raffles and giveaways.

The public can learn more about upcoming 40^th Anniversary celebrations by visiting the Authority’s website www.waterauthority.ky and social media pages.