FROM IDEAS TO INVENTION: THE 13TH ANNUAL FORTISTCI NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAIR – A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The 13th annual FortisTCI National Science and Technology Fair held on March 5 and 6, 2025, brought together more than 100 student participants for two days of scientific exploration and competition under the theme: “From Ideas to Invention: Redefining What’s Possible.”
The Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex was transformed into a hub of discovery during Education Week, as scores of students, educators, stakeholders, and general attendees buzzed with excitement during for the national science quiz, debate, poster, and project competitions.
The 5th annual National High School Science Debate recorded a fierce showdown, with Maranatha Academy claiming victory after placing second last year. The debate team amassed 142 points to Clement Howell High School’s 129.5 points in the grand finale. Students argued whether it is possible to meet rising energy demand without relying on fossil fuels. Holy Family Academy secured third place.
Holy Family Academy won first place in the National Science Project Competition high school category with a creative approach to tackling the ongoing sargassum issue by creating sustainable eco-bricks. Raymond Gardiner High School secured second place for its North Caicos Beach Bricks project, which focused on enhancing the product’s strength and durability. H.J. Robinson High School secured third place with a project on the manufacturing of insect repellent.
The A. Louise Garland Thomas High School received this year’s President’s Award for its project on integrating mimetic photosynthesis in solar cell technology. FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes presents this special annual award to projects demonstrating outstanding creativity, innovative thinking, and skillful execution in scientific pursuits.
Enid Capron Primary School secured first place in the primary school category for their science project investigating the effect of compost on plant growth. Holy Family Academy secured second place with their experiment on hydroponics versus traditional farming. Ianthe Pratt Primary School secured third place with a project examining how different materials affect composting speed.
Eliza Simons Primary School rose to the top after placing second last year in the National Primary School Science Quiz. Charles Hubert James Primary School won second place, and Holy Family Academy rounded out the top three.
The National Science Poster Competition challenged students to translate the fair’s theme into a visually compelling masterpiece through creative art and graphic art. The top-performing schools across both categories were Clement Howell High School, H.J. Robinson High School, Maranatha Academy, Providenciales Middle School, Holy Family Academy and Majorie Basden High School.
Beyond the competitions, the event featured dynamic stakeholder booths including electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology such as drone showcases, virtual reality simulations, and Chroma keying technology for weather broadcasts.
During her remarks at the closing awards ceremony, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stressed that the science fair is all about opportunity and endless possibilities. She shared an inspirational story of an eighteen-year-old California student and former science fair project winner, Vasya Tremsin, who invented a solar-powered device to detect outdoor fires, now called Torch Early Detection Fire Sensors. These sensors are helping firefighters and first responders combat wildfires in California. She illustrated how science fair projects can morph into successful products, encouraging students to continue their scientific exploration, as their efforts and inventions can one day help create a better world for all.
The Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex was transformed into a hub of discovery during Education Week, as scores of students, educators, stakeholders, and general attendees buzzed with excitement during for the national science quiz, debate, poster, and project competitions.
The 5th annual National High School Science Debate recorded a fierce showdown, with Maranatha Academy claiming victory after placing second last year. The debate team amassed 142 points to Clement Howell High School’s 129.5 points in the grand finale. Students argued whether it is possible to meet rising energy demand without relying on fossil fuels. Holy Family Academy secured third place.
Holy Family Academy won first place in the National Science Project Competition high school category with a creative approach to tackling the ongoing sargassum issue by creating sustainable eco-bricks. Raymond Gardiner High School secured second place for its North Caicos Beach Bricks project, which focused on enhancing the product’s strength and durability. H.J. Robinson High School secured third place with a project on the manufacturing of insect repellent.
The A. Louise Garland Thomas High School received this year’s President’s Award for its project on integrating mimetic photosynthesis in solar cell technology. FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes presents this special annual award to projects demonstrating outstanding creativity, innovative thinking, and skillful execution in scientific pursuits.
Enid Capron Primary School secured first place in the primary school category for their science project investigating the effect of compost on plant growth. Holy Family Academy secured second place with their experiment on hydroponics versus traditional farming. Ianthe Pratt Primary School secured third place with a project examining how different materials affect composting speed.
Eliza Simons Primary School rose to the top after placing second last year in the National Primary School Science Quiz. Charles Hubert James Primary School won second place, and Holy Family Academy rounded out the top three.
The National Science Poster Competition challenged students to translate the fair’s theme into a visually compelling masterpiece through creative art and graphic art. The top-performing schools across both categories were Clement Howell High School, H.J. Robinson High School, Maranatha Academy, Providenciales Middle School, Holy Family Academy and Majorie Basden High School.
Beyond the competitions, the event featured dynamic stakeholder booths including electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology such as drone showcases, virtual reality simulations, and Chroma keying technology for weather broadcasts.
During her remarks at the closing awards ceremony, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stressed that the science fair is all about opportunity and endless possibilities. She shared an inspirational story of an eighteen-year-old California student and former science fair project winner, Vasya Tremsin, who invented a solar-powered device to detect outdoor fires, now called Torch Early Detection Fire Sensors. These sensors are helping firefighters and first responders combat wildfires in California. She illustrated how science fair projects can morph into successful products, encouraging students to continue their scientific exploration, as their efforts and inventions can one day help create a better world for all.
