A team of fifth-grade innovators from Calliaqua Anglican Primary School has secured second place in the prestigious Macmillan Education Young Environmental Scientist Regional Competition 2025-2026 (Primary Category), bringing national pride to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The student group, operating under the dynamic moniker SVG Wildlife Warriors, comprises Vedant Shetty, Khristan Da Santos, Kareem Ashton, and Tajiri Layne.
Their award-winning submission featured a comprehensive five-minute video presentation demonstrating both scientific rigor and creative problem-solving. The annual Macmillan Education competition provides a critical platform for Caribbean students to develop practical solutions to pressing environmental issues, with this year’s theme aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
The young conservationists focused their research on raising awareness about endangered species native to their archipelago. Their project involved meticulous data collection and analysis on threatened wildlife including the iconic St. Vincent parrot, the elusive whistling warbler, the critically endangered Union Island Gecko, and majestic hawksbill turtles.
Demonstrating exceptional educational innovation, the team designed an interactive board game that transforms environmental education into an engaging experience. This creative tool aims to inspire younger generations to actively participate in biodiversity conservation efforts while learning about ecological preservation.
The award was formally presented by Deborah Brearley from the United Kingdom, alongside Denise Gaymes representing Macmillan Education. Brearley commended the students’ exceptional ability to merge scientific inquiry with imaginative environmental advocacy.
Principal Roslyn Marshall expressed profound institutional pride in the achievement, highlighting how this recognition reflects the school’s dedicated emphasis on holistic education and advanced STEM learning methodologies. The first-place honors were awarded to a competing institution from Trinidad and Tobago.