A group of tech-savvy Atlanta-based second generation Guyanese siblings calling themselves the K12 Youth Code has put together a novel proposal to stage a Robot Building and Programming Camp in Guyana targeting children from various social and academic backgrounds.
Stabroek Business has seen a copy of the proposal prepared by the K12 team, which includes Stanford University Computer Science Major and Dorm Room Fund Investment Partner Ima Christian; MIT Mites alum and Co-founder of mobile application development company, Pinetart Inc, Asha Christian; Co-founder of the Five-O app Leon Caleb Christian and robotics expert Joshua Christian. The project, the proposal says, is being executed in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Guyana and the Queen’s College Alumni of New York.
The objective of the initiative, the proposal says, “is to train 100 1st form to 4th form students in robotics building and programming, empowering them to be a part of our upcoming Caribbean Robotics League.” The K12 team says, “Exposure to this technology will motivate these young people to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and to use technology to solve some of the pressing issues affecting Guyana and the entire Caribbean region. We want to empower the next generation of Caribbean students to solve their own problems using technology.”
Students from Queen’s College and various other schools as well as schoolchildren residing in Tiger Bay will participate in the programme.
The K12 team says it is seeking the support of the local business community to finance the purchase of 15 robotics sets at a cost of US$350 each. The group is also seeking financial support for the purchase of snacks and t-shirts for the participants as well as prizes for the four winning teams of the end of camp robotics competition.
Sponsors, the K12 group says will be highlighted in its planned media blitz while their names will be included on participant t-shirts.
