The Launch

Oceana Innovation Hub is the visionary initiative of the Ministry of Educational Transformation, in partnership with XQ America, that represents the Ministry’s commitment to advancing ocean and climate education in Barbados.

The Hub, situated on the beach front in Bay Street, St. Michael, will be a vibrant centre for discovery, creativity, and collaboration, offering students and the wider community a gateway to the wonders and challenges of the ocean and climate. Launched on June 17th, 2025, the Hub will serve as a central point for partnerships, learning, and innovation while amplifying the work of existing organizations and creating a shared space for transformative ocean and climate-related experiences for students in Barbados. 

The two-storey Hub is constructed with sturdy, regenerative mass timber materials incorporating rainwater harvesting systems, renewable energy sources, and eco-rich spaces that promote biodiversity. Its design will allow for 70% less energy consumption than a traditional school on-island, and be better able to resist extreme weather events. The structure will house a research laboratory that will be heavily utilised by the proposed Chelston School of Innovation, Leadership, and Sustainable Development, spaces to facilitate seminars and collaborative work for students and teachers across the island, and an interactive museum for all members of the public.