PRESS RELEASE – CONGRATULATIONS go out to Gros Islet Infant School for capturing the DECA Idea Challenge, winning the title in the Elementary Level category with the creation of the pencil leash made out of rubber bands.
Three teams from St. Lucia were selected from over 2,000 submissions from around the world to move on to the finals of DECA Idea Challenge 2017.
After a Junior Achievement St. Lucia judging panel evaluated the 16 submissions from across the island, three teams were selected and submitted to the international competition. Student teams were evaluated based on a 3-minute video pitch of their new invention of the mystery item – rubber bands. Three age categories are involved: Elementary or Middle School (6–13 years), High School (14-18 years) and College/University (18+ years).
The national winners who have qualified are Gros Islet Primary School, who are one of only six finalists in this age group category; Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School are one of the 12 finalists in the High School Category, while Vieux Fort Comprehensive A-Level Department is one of only four finalists in College/University Category. Finalists are vying for cash prizes of US$500 and US$750.
The DECA Idea Challenge is a premier event of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), where student teams are dared to tap into their creativity and transform a mystery item into an original creation within eight days. The mystery item was announced by DECA Inc. on Monday, November 13, 2017.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is the host organization for Global Entrepreneurship Week St. Lucia, and Junior Achievement, the Chamber’s flagship programme, coordinates the DECA Challenge.
Hearty congratulations go to the three finalists. The support of the Ministry of Education is also acknowledged as well as the effort of the adjudicators. Global winners were announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
See video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs5h1gnWQZc&feature=youtu.be