Guyanese-born, United States-based Karen Abrams, who pioneered the introduction of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as an integrated discipline in Guyana has been named by the prestigious Forbes Magazine amongst a group of 50 women over the age of 50 whose work, Forbes says, reflects “the full range of career and passion project paths including entrepreneurship, business ownership, non-profit and philanthropic pursuits, inspirational leadership, public service, policy conceptualization and implementation and social advocacy.”
The Forbes Magazine “50 Over 50” initiative is a recent addition to its other well-known lists and is committed to shining a light on 50 diverse women over the age of 50 who have achieved significant success later in life, often having overcome formidable obstacles.
The Atlanta-based Abrams attracted national attention when, within a short period following the introduction of STEM education in Guyana, she not only realised significant success in spreading the concept amongst schoolchildren across the country, but also in creating a countrywide following of STEM enthusiasts. She also spearheaded the coaching of a local STEM team that clinched a gold medal in a prestigious international STEM competition. In 2018, Abrams received a Guyana National Award – the Golden Arrow of Achievement.
The naming of Abrams by Forbes Magazine was based on a nomination presumably proffered by an individual or organization who is aware of her ongoing programme to expand the frontiers of STEM education in Guyana, though she told the Stabroek Business that she had “no idea” as to who nominated her. “I believe that the nomination is testimony to the work done by the STEMGuyana team whose work contributed immeasurably to raising the profile of the initiative and to the success that we were able to realise in international competition,” Abrams told Stabroek Business.
The success of the STEMGuyana organisation which Abrams heads, has attracted sufficient international attention to secure the support of ExxonMobil and Tullow Oil, currently involved in oil recovery pursuits offshore Guyana. She told the Stabroek Business that on account of the support that the organisation has secured from external and local entities, it has been able to train more than two hundred Stem Club Leaders across Guyana, provide curriculum and material support for more than 70 local STEM clubs, and prepare youth robotics national teams for participation in local and international competitions. More recently, and in pursuit of its effort to support the national education programme in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, STEMGuyana has produced the STEM Television Show – “Robin The Robot” which is screened on the local state-run National Communications Network and The Learning (television) Channel run by the Ministry of Education. STEM-Guyana has also collaborated with the Department of Youth to launch the “Learning Pods” initiative, twenty learning centres in nine of the country’s ten administrative regions. The Learning Pods provide tuition in Mathematics, English, Technology, and Integrated Science, targeting children whose formal education has been affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abrams says that STEMGuyana has also recently launched the “Parent Academy” which encourages parents to “learn then teach” by using the organisation’s free 1st – 10th grade lesson plans to educate or refresh themselves on the work their children are learning in the classroom.
