Belize District - Channel 5 Belize

STEAM Prepares Belizean Students for the Future

In a world where technology and innovation are rapidly reshaping the landscape of employment and creativity, a new educational model is emerging in classrooms around the globe. STEAM is not just an acronym; it’s a revolution in learning. Tonight’s Belize on Reel feature delves into the vibrant classrooms at Itz’at where STEAM is coming to life, exploring how this interdisciplinary approach is preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges. We’ll uncover the impact of integrating arts into the traditional STEM model, witness the transformation of young minds, and understand why educators and industry leaders alike are championing STEAM as the key to unlocking a brighter, more innovative future for Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.

Elroy Tucker, Student, Itz’at STEAM Academy

“They had a very interactive approach towards learning because the first thing that they did with us was an activity where we were supposed to collaborate with our teammates in our primary school.”

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

STEAM education prepares students like Elroy Tucker Jr. to tackle real-world challenges by engaging in project-based learning that stimulates actual problems and scenarios they might encounter in their future careers. It’s an approach that piqued his interest from the onset.

Elroy Tucker

“My sister is in St. Catherine Academy which is a traditional school and the rest of my family insisted that I should go to a traditional school until I saw Itz’at STEAM Academy. It was roughly the first school that I actually felt interested in because I knew for a very long period of time that other schools were just a challenge that you get through so that you can get into the workforce.”

As the job market evolves, STEAM education equips students with the skills necessary to succeed in careers that may not even exist yet, ensuring that they are adaptable and ready for the future.

Cristine Coc, Vice Principal, Itz’at STEAM Academy

“There needs to be a mindset shift. When you come from traditional schools, you are expected to stand up when the teacher walks in, say good morning, and, you know, write a lot of notes and carry a lot of books. And they come with that expectation. And some of them come with dislike for math, they come with a dislike for science. “I don’t like science, I don’t like math, give me art. I love art.”

By including the arts with STEM, students are encouraged to think creatively and innovatively, combining analytical thinking with resourceful problem-solving. This is necessary for the development of future innovators. At thirteen years old, Tyler Gabourel is already thinking ahead.

Tyler Gabourel, Student, Itz’at STEAM Academy

“I want to be technological engineer and Itz’at is kind of like the perfect school for that because everything we do is on computers and we learn about the different machines and how to use them and how to use them appropriately and professionally.”

The STEAM approach provides an inclusive educational framework that allows all students, regardless of their natural aptitudes, to engage and contribute, ensuring that each student can find their niche within the curriculum.

Melanie Arias, Student, Itz’at STEAM Academy

“The curriculums are different than normal high schools but they are also fun and they show your creative and innovative side.”

It is not just about teaching individual subjects; it’s about preparing students for life, providing them with a versatile skill set that goes beyond traditional academic boundaries and empowers them to become lifelong learners and contributors to Belizean society.

Melanie Arias

“I decided on this because it was a new school and then I read a lot about it and then it was like very… it was a “wow” experience when I started reading about the school.

STEAM education can positively impact cognitive development, increase literacy and math skills, and help students reflect meaningfully on their work and that of their peers.

Jahzhia Morales, Student, Itz’at STEAM Academy

“So I really like the classroom experience because they make you feel very comfortable and safe where you can share your answers and you don’t feel. Itz’at is more tailored to my future career path that I would like to go. I want to be an architect and in the STEAM school there is science, technology, engineering, arts and math which I would all need for my future career path.”

A holistic learning environment integrates various disciplines, encouraging students to make connections across subjects and apply their knowledge in a comprehensive manner.

Cristine Coc

“When we started, it was myself, Mr. Smith, Ms. Chable, Mr. Palacio and the principal. We did not have this fancy campus, we were in a tiny room and that was where we came together and it came to my knowledge that everybody sitting in that room wanted a different type of schooling. And as one of the administrators, my job was to hear them out. What are your ideas, what are your thoughts? And you know, they would express that and I would say, “Wow, we all have that same vision of what a different school may be.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Soft Drink Production Drops while Bowen on Standby with B.E.L.

Amidst Belize’s ongoing energy crisis and negotiations with Mexico, Bowen and Bowen, Belize’s largest beverage production company, was asked by Belize Electricity limited to temporarily come off the power grid and switch over to generator, while B.E.L. works towards a solution. However, on Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño, revealed that C.F.E. has agreed to supply Belize with seventy-five megawatts of power, committing twenty megawatts more than the previous arrangement. We asked Bowen and Bowen Corporate Relations Manager, Rosanna Villanueva if the company has been in discussion regarding the possibility of returning to the grid soon. Here’s what she had to say.

Rosanna Villanueva, Corporate Relations Manager, B&B Ltd.

“It has curtailed our production a bit, simply because the generators that we have are not able to power all the lines All at the same time. So on a regular basis on a normal times, we would have all our production lines running at the same time. The generators are not able to sustain that level of production. So it essentially means that we then have to pick and choose which lines are going to be running which lines are going to be producing. We do have a third generator that is in the process of being brought up. And that is going to assist us a great deal in trying to get back to our normal production. When we’re off the grid. As I mentioned, this would happen when we’re off the grid. We do understand BEL needs to meet the power needs of other critical services of, households. It’s not just Bowen and Bowen going through this. It’s the entire country. So we try as much as possible to work along with them and assist where we can.”

Britney Gordon

“The government has been in talks with Mexico, CFE to increase the amount of energy we received from them. Has there been any word to your company and the other parties that were asked to come off the grid about possibly getting back on the grid and going back to your normal production?”

Rosanna Villanueva

“Okay, so that is a great development for the country. We would be, along with all other Belizeans we would be updated as progress is made on that. And for us, it would be of course beneficial for us because the less we come off the grid, the greater the more we’re able to produce, I should say. It’s a good thing for the entire country. As I said, it’s not just Bowen and Bowen experiencing this. So yeah, I think that would be a good development and we’re waiting along with everyone else to see what happens and what progress is made in that regard.”

Bowen says Shortage Partly due to Maintenance

If you have noticed that recently, the shelves at your neighborhood corner store have had significantly less Bowen and Bowen products in stock, then you are not alone. Due to the ongoing energy crisis, the company was asked by Belize Electricity Limited to temporarily power their operation via generators, resulting in the slowing down of production. We spoke with Bowen and Bowen’s Corporate Relations Manager, Rosanna Villanueva, who said that the shortage is also due, in part, to maintenance.

Rosanna Villanueva, Corporate Relations Manager, B&B Ltd.

“Production has been down from what it should be. We’ve also had the case where we have scheduled production, scheduled maintenance on some of our production lines. So we schedule maintenance way in advance. These are machines and they need to be maintained so that they can continue working. And so when we have a line down for maintenance, and then on top of that, we’re asked to come off the grid, it does tend to compound the issue. We also had that happening. We expect within the next couple of weeks to have all our maintenance completed. We are hoping to have the third generator back online or online again within the next week or two. So all of that will assist us in getting back to normal. And of course, as I said, the less we have to come off the grid, the better. But I think that goes for all Belizeans, not just Bowen and Bowen. So we’re looking forward to things settling down and getting back to normal.”

Dara Raffling House to Upgrade Farm

Philanthropist Joel ‘Dara’ Robinson is popular in Belize for his generosity in feeding some of the Old Capital’s poorest schoolchildren every weekday, free of cost to them. For over a decade, Robinson provided free hot meals for close to fifty primary school children who would have otherwise gone hungry at lunch time. Now, Robinson says he is raffling a small, fully-sealed and wired building that you can use for a single bedroom or a food booth. He stopped by Channel Five today and told us that he still feeds the children three times a week, but that he is spending more time on his farm which needs a proper irrigation system. He says that raffling the structure will provide that opportunity for him.

Joel “Dara” Robinson, Philanthropist

“I di give somebody an opportunity fi win a 12 by 12, you could call it a small house or building, fully burglar-barred, sealed and wired. I di raffle it da the Lucky Dube show on the 4th of August. And the purpose behind it – there are other things I got to do, especially on the farm and thing, so I decide the only way I could try raise some funds da if I raffle the house. I had it sitting there and thing, basically never made use of it. I just make sure I keep it clean, fix it up and thing, and I decide somebody could win a whole house for just $20 a chance. When you win it, also along with that, you want to get it delivered to your place, but it has to be within rural Belize and Belize City. That also comes along with the raffle, you understand? The reason I start early fi try juggle because definitely this value over $8,000.I nuh di get any younger. I need fi find something weh I love and weh I can go into with less stress, and somehow when I go up to my place, it doesn’t matter if it’s a few hours or overnight, I feel relaxed the most. The phone ring less. You’re the one with nature so that my focus.”

San Pedro Mayor Not Allowed to Participate in PUP Contested Convention for Standard Bearer

A few weeks ago, San Pedro Mayor Wally Nunez launched his bid to become the next area representative of Belize Rural South. He made the announcement via his Facebook page on April 29th. He said, “The people of San Pedro and Caye Caulker have been asking for quite some time if I will represent them in the next general elections. Well, this is confirmation that I will be sending in my application to represent you all.”

He ends by saying, “Let democracy prevail!!”

Nunez’s ambitions were halted. He was informed that the PUP’s National Executive decided that none of the recently elected mayors are permitted to participate in any contested conventions for the position of standard bearer. They are only allowed to join endorsement conventions, which are uncontested.

Mayor Nunez posted on Facebook, “Guided by the voice of the people, I decided to continue leading them as their area representative. I have now been made to understand that this will not be possible. I respect the decision of our party and hold dear the mandate given to me by the people.”

Friends Murdered While Hanging Out

On Tuesday night, residents of the North Creek area of Belize City were stunned when six gunshots interrupted the quiet of the night. Little did they know that their community was the scene of the country’s second double murder for the month of May. The first was in Roaring Creek on May fifth. It was well before eight o’clock when a pair of men on a motorcycle drove up to where two friends were sitting on a bench near a basketball court on North Creek. One of the attackers got off the bike and walked through the entrance of a yard to where the unsuspecting men sat. He opened fire on them and got back on the bike and sped off. One of the victims died at the scene, while the other died on the way to the K.H.M.H. Police say the attack may have been the result of a fight earlier on Tuesday. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Twenty-year-old Marvin Pook and thirty-year-old Anthony Young were lifelong friends who hung out every night in the North Creek neighborhood. On Tuesday, the pair was executed. They were sitting here on this bench facing a basketball court when they were ambushed. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero shared what investigators have gathered so far.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Tuesday the 14th of May, 2024, around 7:39 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at North Creek, Belize City. Upon their arrival, they found two persons with gunshot injuries. The persons were immediately rushed to the KHMH for treatment but they succumbed shortly thereafter. Information is that they were sitting on a chair near the basketball court when a motorcycle arrived with two persons. One of the persons got off the motorcycle and came close to them and fired several shots towards their direction, causing their fatal injuries.”

A resident told News Five that he was at home watching TV when he heard about six shots. When he looked outside, he saw a commotion and people trying to help the wounded men. Pook’s grandmother, Sherlette Lamb, said that her grandson visited the court every night because his girlfriend lives at a house nearby.

Sherlette Lamb, Grandmother of Marvin Pook

“He normally goes there because his girlfriend family is there. And that’s the reason why he go over there. Literally, my grandson was not a person that affiliated any gang or he was not a person that being in the street or a member of police to be said like being a problem like things like that. He’s not a person like that. I have no idea that I would have even heard when I pick up the phone from my daughter that if I heard Marvin got shut up. That was so devastating for me. It happened, I said, drink some water, pray, and let’s see what’s work out. Unfortunately, I got the sad news he didn’t made it because he died on the spot.”

According to A.C.P Romero, the likely motive for the deadly attack may have been a fight that happened earlier in the day. Police have since detained several persons for questioning. Romero said that Pook and Young were the only two persons sitting on the bench at the time, but that investigators are not sure whether they were the actual targets.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Only two of them were sitting there at the time.

Reporter

“So it was likely that one of them or both of them were the intended target?

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“We are not certain if they were the intended target, but they were the only two persons there at the time of the shooting. The information we have got so far, there was a fight yesterday involving these persons and that is information we’re getting: somebody came after them. We are reviewing video footage and later on we will know exactly what this fight was all about and who were the persons involved.”

But the alleged fight involving the pair of friends is news to the family and Sherlette Lamb maintains that her grandson was not a troublemaker.

Sherlette Lamb

“He has not been in problems with people. He’s not a person like to say, go and create problems with nobody. We always raise him in a great manner for said Marvin, you know what happened, you are a boy, you have to raise up the right way. Keep your head up, do the right thing, and that’s what my grandson was doing.”

ACP Romero says that both victims are known to police. Pook’s grandmother says that he was arrested only once for a common assault that he was eventually acquitted of. Anthony Young had no known relative in Belize City. Marion Ali for News Five.

Man Shot Monday Night in Ladyville

Meanwhile, police investigations into a shooting on Monday night in Ladyville Village remain ongoing. ACP Hilberto Romero told us today that they do not have any suspects for the shooting of Frank Young. The incident happened on a busy thoroughfare near a gas station.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Monday, the 13th of May, 2024, around 11:45 p.m., Ladyville police responded to a shooting incident in the vicinity of the 24/7 Gas Station. Upon their arrival, they found one Frank Young, 26 years, with a gunshot injury. He was taken to the KHMH for treatment. He reported he was walking on the highway in that area when he heard gunshots and then realized that he had been shot. He has since been treated at the KHMH and has been released.”

Kenrick Longsworth Stands Trial for Murder of 3-year-old Boy

On January tenth, 2020, a three-year-old boy died inside a house on Lovely Lane, here in Belize City. He was reportedly beaten to death and sexually assaulted by his stepfather. The child’s siblings, ages two and four, were also badly beaten and left inside the building. News of the horrific incident led to public outrage and a manhunt ensued for the capture of Kenrick Longsworth, the alleged perpetrator. Earlier today, the thirty-one-year-old suspect appeared before the High Court where is standing trial for the murder of Mark Francisco Teul. This evening, the child’s mother, Zema Requena, was called to the witness stand by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Under oath, she told the court that on the day in question, she left home and went with a neighbor. Upon returning home, she saw Longsworth sitting on a bucket and he appeared visibly upset. When she inquired what was wrong, he reportedly told her that the next time she leaves, she should take along her children. Requena proceeded towards the house and made the grisly discovery inside the bedroom. Under cross examination Zema Requena became very emotional when defense attorney Andrew Bennett suggested that she was the one who physically abused the children because Longsworth had broken up with her earlier that day. Requena subsequently stormed out of the courtroom before Justice Sylvester called her back. She was cautioned that her behavior was disrespectful to the court. The murder trial by judge without jury will continue on Thursday.

Uncle is Sentenced to 19 Years for Sexual Assault of Minor Niece

A sixty-four-year-old uncle who was convicted of sexual assault and incest against his thirteen-year-old niece will serve a nineteen-year sentence at the Belize Central Prison. During his sentencing appearance this morning, the uncle had nothing to say and in mitigation plea, he did not call on a character witness to speak on his behalf. On March eighth, 2024, the elderly man was found guilty of all four counts following a full trial before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court. The crimes for which he was convicted were committed in 2019 and 2020.

Kaya for Albert?

Professional cyclist turned rising politician, Kaya Cattouse has her eyes set on Albert Division, several months after being voted in for a second term at the Belize City Council. The P.U.P. councilor has expressed a formal interest in running against incumbent Area Representative Tracy Panton in the next general elections, that is if Cattouse is selected from within her party as a standard bearer. This afternoon, we caught up with Cattouse and asked a couple questions regarding her future political ambitions at the constituency level.

Kaya Cattouse, P.U.P. Candidate, Albert

“I think that working at the local government level for the past four years has definitely motivated me to want to represent a smaller group of people on a larger scale.”

Reporter

“Now what made you choose the Albert constituency?”

Kaya Cattouse

“So, the Albert constituency has a lot of potential and, like I said, working at the local government level and walking around in that area, you can identify the needs of the people and so I identified opportunities that can be made possible to these people. I’m a city girl, coming from Belize City, not necessarily from the Albert constituency, but this is the largest downtown area in the largest city in the country and there’s a lot that can be done, physical infrastructure and social infrastructure for the residents of the constituency.”

Isani Cayetano

“How would you respond to any detractor that says you’re not from Albert to begin with and that’s one of those constituencies where you have to have some kind of roots on the ground.”

Kaya Cattouse

“Who said that? Who made that rule? I don’t believe that you have to be [from] or were born in a constituency to be able to link and relate to the residents of that constituency. I believe people in general have the same needs, regardless of the constituency that they come from.”

Isani Cayetano

“Who did you consult with, perhaps in your family or within your party for you to arrive at this decision to run in Albert?”

Kaya Cattouse

“Family and friends, I would say, and some of the of the ministers in the party. I won’t get into calling any names as yet.”

Reporter

“But you do have allies, one assumes.”

Kaya Cattouse

“Definitely.”

Isani Cayetano

“What is the sentiment of Mayor Wagner? I’m certain he has some kind of weigh-in on this decision or the outcome of this decision of yours.”

Kaya Cattouse

“Mayor Wagner fully supports me, one hundred percent. He stands behind me fully and he’s a good man to have on your side. I am very grateful and appreciative of the support of not only Mayor Wagner but all the ministers around us and the other councilors who are giving me that push.”