Projects

On this page: Internship Summaries and Video Links  |  Special Topics in Barbados


Students in the BITS program have the opportunity to design and carry out their own research projects that solve real-world problems related to agricultural production, food, sanitation, environment and health issues in Barbados. Every 2-4 students form a project group and work directly with mentors from designated host institutions in Barbados. Students dedicate Mondays and Tuesdays all summer long towards their respective projects. Previous projects done by McGill students include constructing a Naturally Ventilated Augmented Cooling Greenhouse, finding alternative propagation methods of plants, making Bajan yogurt and ice cream with goat milk, improving the local rabbit meat industry, and many other exciting projects. Please check out the project summaries and videos for more details.

Students may apply for the following internships and conduct projects under the supervision of mentors at the host organizations. These projects are eligible for Special Topics or Project credits, and in some cases, can be used towards a McGill Field Study Minor.


Internship Summaries and Video Links

Summer 2023

Summer 2019

Summer 2018

Summer 2016

Summer 2015

Summer 2014

Summer 2013

BITS won a Project Award from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA Canada) this year!

Summer 2012

BITS won a Project Award from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA Canada) this year!

Summer 2011

BITS won a Project Award from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA Canada) this year!

Read about the Giant African Snails (GAS):

Summer 2009


BITS Special Topics in Barbados

Special Topics in Barbados (download Special Topics approval form) must be arranged with BITS faculty. Please send requests to danielle.donnelly [at] mcgill.ca (Dr. Danielle Donnelly) with a description of your interests, resumé, and copy of your McGill transcript. Costs are directly related to your transportation to Barbados and the cost of your accommodation and food at Bellairs Research Institute.

For the first time in 2017, Global Interdisciplinary Virtual Undergraduate Student (GIVUS) Projects (same Special Topics approval form as above; same request procedure) were launched for virtually mobile/remote students wishing to participate in international activities. No transportation costs! No special accommodation and food costs! No carbon footprint! The first virtually mobile student was Melissa Bezruchko. Melissa worked remotely on a project with Dr. Anthony Fisher, Executive Director of the University of The West Indies (UWI) China Institute of Information Technology, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.

2017

UWI 2017 Marketing Communication Outreach Implementation Plan  |  Melissa Bezruchko (virtually mobile student)

Plastic Waste at the SBRC in Barbados  |  Sara Mikhail

2014

Flavours of Barbados.pdf written by Selina Piekarski

2013

2012

2011

 A Kitchen Garden Promotes Food Security at the Bellairs Research Institute.pdf written by Lara Steinhouse

Achatina_fulica_-_an_invasive_species.pdf prepared by Boris Mayer with BITS Faculty (Forward Fest 2011 took place at Bellairs)

The_farming_and_consumption_of_Achatina_fulica_in_Mauritius.pdf prepared by Boris Mayer (the island of Mauritius has also been invaded by GAS)

2009

Life History of the Invasive Achatina fulica in Barbados Jason Beuckert, synopsis by Christie Lovat  and Danielle Donnelly

Propagation Methods for Mussaenda philippica.pdf Jason Beuckert, synopsis by Christie Lovat  and Danielle Donnelly

2008

Ethno-Botanical Research and Propagation of Tropical Medicinal Plants.pdf  Charlotte Rancourt, synopsis by Christie Lovat and Danielle Donnelly


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