The Ministry of Education and Women in Data Science Trinidad and Tobago have honoured primary school students for their creativity in the 2025 Data Storytelling Competition.
The competition was a feature of the Students Transitioning Effectively from Primary to Secondary School (STEPS) 2025 Programme. Teams were required to investigate a question of their choice and tell the story of their experience using a three-minute video.
According to Director of Curriculum Planning and Development Division in the Ministry of Education, Anna Singh, STEPS is intended to give opportunities to Standard 5 students to sharpen their skills as they transition to secondary school.
“What we want for our students and learners that they be socially and culturally adjusted, that they are healthy and happy, that they are able to achieve their academic potential, that they are adequately prepared for the next level of learning, and that they are emotionally balanced and resilient.”
Students from schools across the country were recognised for transforming numbers into compelling narratives.
It was an exercise that Minister of Education, Dr. Michael Dowlath, said is vital to lifelong learning. The Minister praised the innovative approach that blends academic knowledge, creativity, and social-emotional skills.
“But then in the lessons, what do the teachers do? And what do competitions like these do? It allows you to develop your analysis skills, how to synthesise after you have analysed and stripped it apart, how to synthesise it and bring it in a new form. And you know what we call that? We call that innovation. So you’re learning creativity as you work with data.”
Dr. Dowlath said such programmes help learners develop skills that go beyond the classroom.
“To our brilliant students who are here, I want you to understand that data is not dull, and storytelling is not just fiction. You know, when you look at data, you’re taking numbers, you’re taking patterns, and you’re transforming them, and you are speaking to real issues, real threats, and you’re creating a human experience. And that is a remarkable experience for young people.”
The Minister encouraged students to carry forward the skills gained as they transition to secondary school and beyond.
The Women in Data Science initiative plans to expand the programme next year, with the Ministry pledging continued support to nurture data-driven innovation among the nation’s youth.