Teen prodigy shaping the future of electronics

At just 16 years old, Kayla Hewan is already blazing a trail in the world of electronics, setting the stage for a future of distinction.

A grade 11 mechanical technology student at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St James, Hewan has already left an impressive mark with her ground-breaking projects. Her most notable achievement? The innovative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system installed at her school, designed to limit student access to the teacher's lounge and staff areas.

But Hewan's journey into the world of electronics wasn't without its challenges. In September 2023, she and her classmates were introduced to the Arduino kit by their mechanical engineering teacher, Kevin Coke. This hands-on tool is used to teach coding, electronics, and prototyping--perfect for a mind as curious as Hewan's. Yet, while she was initially excited about experimenting with the platform, tragedy struck when her mother passed away, leaving her grappling with grief.

"It's funny because I hated electrical technology when I started in grade 10. I don't know what it was with resistors, resistivity, colour bands, and all of that confusing stuff, but then January came and I got my Arduino kit. It was like one of those things where when a door closes, God opens another one for you because the day I got my Arduino kit was the day I learned that my mother passed, so I needed a distraction," the teenager explained.

While experimenting with the kit, Hewan and classmate Ryan Gooden came up with the idea to build an RFID system for their school. She said the idea was born out of curiosity and innovation. After conceptualising the idea, Hewan said that her teacher encouraged them to design a printed circuit board (PCB) for their project. They have since incorporated that electronic system in the school's staff room.

"To my surprise, the teacher's lounge was not secured so anybody could walk in, but now our school IDs are not just IDs any more. They are our keys to the school, so as a student, you can't just walk into every [room] thinking you have access to it. As it is now, as a student, I can't access the teacher's lounge because of how the code was written. But a teacher with an ID card, as long as they scan it, will be allowed access."

Hewan, who is proud of her work thus far, told THE STAR that she believes the newly built electronic system will aid her teachers.

"Not only does it give access, but it will also be able to tell what time they're signing in. I think they used to write down what time they arrived at school, so instead of having to write that down, you can just tell what time the person entered the room based on their ID card."

The curious youngster also intends to expand the school's RFID system by incorporating the canteen. She stated that work is being done to add "Herbie points" to the student IDs.

According to Hewan, considerable work and security elements would be implemented to protect pupils. The school's ID cards are currently created and manufactured on-site, thus this project will be another of the students' experiments.

"Mr Coke said that we can add Herbie points for the students at the canteen. Instead of coming to school with lunch money, we can use our Herbie points to purchase with our IDs."

While she waits for the PCB to arrive from China, Hewan spends her time at school developing smaller circuits. She has created a digital clock, a radio, and several smaller gadgets. Though this passion was born out of grief, Hewan told THE STAR that she enjoys seeing her hard work come to fruition. She is also hoping to pursue a career in electronic engineering.

"My classmates say it's because I'm bored and just have too much free time on my hands, but to be honest, as soon as I see a circuit and it interests me, I have to do it. Even when I get the boards, as soon as I get the components, I'm just locked into them. I just want to complete the circuit and when it works, is one of the best feelings ever."

Hewan also hopes that more focus would be placed on the development of technical disciplines in Jamaican high schools. She expressed her dismay after finding that arrangements were in place to terminate four Caribbean Examination Council-administered Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams last June. The decision has since been reversed, however, Hewan told THE STAR that she believes more resources are needed in schools.

"I don't know what I would have done because, from a little girl growing up, engineering was always my path. I understand that not many people want to do the subjects, but what about the few? And why is it that there are so many people who are moving away from the subject? There are a few who still want to do it, but just don't have the resources. I think we should look at that," she said.