CedarBridge Academy is hosting its first ever ?Sci-Tech Expo? this week in the hopes of increasing student interest in careers involving science and technology.

Yesterday and today, CedarBridge?s large gymnasium was full of many interactive exhibits as varied as robotics, tropical rainforests, face painting and video games.

Sci-Tech Expo coordinator, Iha Farquhar told The Royal Gazette: ?Our main goal was to improve our students? interest in science and technology.

?If one person finds something that interests them here today, and says, ?yes, maybe that is something I want to do when I leave school?, then all our hard work would be worth it,? she said.

Aardvark Communications designed the fliers and t-shirts, Cable and Wireless and AT&T, Telecom Bermuda, BEUI, Dolphin Quest, St. David?s Hobby Shop, the Complete Store and Pic-a-pet also participated along with public institutions like the hospital and Bermuda College.

Ms Farquhar was pleased with the level of participation.,

?CedarBridge students have (received) negative press in the past,? Ms Farquhar said.

?But a few students shouldn?t be allowed to mess it up for everyone else. We have some really great kids here. They should get a chance to shine.?

Davondra Sealey, 14, said the exposition ?was interesting because you can learn about careers?, while Joleesa Holdipp, 15, said her favourite activity was ?cosmetology?.

The exhibit was of particular interest as she is considering becoming a cosmetologist when she graduates.

Shakira Jones, 15, said the Bermuda Police Services? crime scene exhibit was ?cool? because they took her fingerprints while Barry Legrenzi, 14, said he liked the remote controlled cars and the computers.

He arrived late at the Expo as he was busy designing his own games using a ?RPG 2003? programme, he said.

Barry said he would be love to get a job designing computer games.

Some students were hoping for more from the expo though.

Jessika Adamson, 17, and Danielle Douglas, 15, said it might have been better if they had more things that they were interested in like bikes and football.

However, the expo ?keeps us all focused, out of trouble and learning things at the same time,? they noted.