Astronomy has not been a priority of science education in Trinidad. The subject is not formally taught in schools. In general, our science education places greater emphasis on theory than on experiment.
Many students have little exposure to hands-on activities, and science fairs are uncommon.
Despite all this, interest in astronomy is high. In fall 1994, my students and I at the University of the West Indies performed a survey to assess the appeal of astronomy to high-school students. Interest was as strong among the young women as among the young men. More than 50 percent of the students answered more than half of our astronomy questions correctly. Television seemed to be their main source of information.