Over 100 children from STEMGuyana’s learning pods across the 10 regions were yesterday honoured as Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative, Lorena Salazar, underscored the importance of the academic disciplines for Guyana’s holistic development.
“The field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is very important in today’s rapidly changing world, and your growing enthusiasm is commendable. STEM education is key in preparing future generations to be successful in their careers regardless of the industries or sectors they choose to pursue,” Salazar yesterday said as she addressed the gathering at a luncheon in their honour at the Marriott Hotel.
“Historically, science, technology, and innovation have had immense impact on ‘solving’ some of the daily challenges that people face especially when there are changes in the social and economic environment. It is also beneficial for development of the people, their communities, and their country. Guyana, for instance, is currently at a critical crossroad in its development pathway. The oil and gas sector is expected to make Guyana one of the richest countries in the western hemisphere and will generate much needed resources for investment. New jobs and opportunities will be created,” she added.
In attendance, on behalf of the government, was Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag. She was singled out for her ministry’s contribution to the STEMGuyana Programme. The Ministry of the Public Service had contributed heavily to sponsorship for the Guyana team’s travel to Geneva to participate in the First Global robotic competition, held in Geneva, Switzerland. However, the team’s Schengen visas were denied without any clear explanation to its management.
Also present yesterday were United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller; a representative from Tullow Oil; parents and guardians of the 85 students from 70 learning pods; as well as parliamentarians and business persons.
In her brief remarks, the US envoy congratulated the children for their outstanding performance and also highlighted the importance of STEM programmes to national development.
The IDB Country Representative posited that beyond the benefit of learning science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM assists in problem-solving and exploratory learning, which can drive success across a variety of tasks and disciplines.
But while there are numerous opportunities for persons equipped with STEM training, she said that countries like Guyana also face a number challenges and setbacks, especially for vulnerable groups like children and girls.
“As the world over experienced the harsh impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on the education system, it highlighted the inequalities in access, resources, and digital infrastructure for many communities, including some in Guyana. That is why at the IDB Group, and led by the IDB Lab, support is offered to initiatives like STEMGuyana Learning Pods Project – Supporting Success in Education for Vulnerable Children,” she said.
Empowering Guyana’s youth in STEM, the IDB believes, will bring them access to opportunities, given that technology is one of the single most important elements in the success and growth of international trade and job market expansion. “Technology allows businesses to share information and conduct trade in less time than the blink of an eye. Technology can save the time it takes to produce a product or deliver a service, contributing to the overall profits of a business. Within this context, technological change can intensify as artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and cyber-physical systems take the digital revolution to another level,” Salazar noted.
The project which is supported by the Bank’s innovative laboratory, IDB Lab, will see students in vulnerable communities across Guyana have access to various skill sets via the use of technology in their supplementary learning in Math, English, and Science. Overall, it is expected that approximately 1,000 children in Guyana will benefit from the project over the next three years.
And as she too reflected on the team’s inability to participate in the world robotics competition this year, STEM Guyana’s Co-Founder and Director Karen Abrams urged the children to not be despondent but use the experience to motivate them to grow. “Use this as a life lesson…” Abrams counselled.
She said that participation in the International Youth Robotics Competition exposes scholars to robotics and engineering concepts early, gives the students a competitive head start in an emerging industry, while also developing their creative, innovative, collaboration and problem solving skills.
It was noted that TEAM Guyana Robotics FGC has represented the nation creditably around the world, year after year at global robotics competitions – bringing home numerous awards such as the Albert Einstein Gold Medal for Excellence, the Judges Award for Unique Efforts, and Performance, and the distinction of being the number one ranked team in South America and the Caribbean at their debut competition.
“The entire STEMGuyana village is investing the time, energy, and hard work to prepare the rich youth resources of our country. We acknowledge Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as tools for national and global engagement and development,” Abrams said.
And acknowledging the need for adult mentorship and participation and empowerment, STEMGuyana also yesterday announced two new initiatives – the scheduled reopening of 100 community stem clubs across all regions of Guyana, and the roll out of its Parent Academy programme – a new virtual offering that invests in the education of the full family unit.
“We want parents to be additional educational resources for their scholars,” Abrams said but did not go into details on how the programme will be rolled out or what it entailed.
She is asking interested persons across the country to keep abreast with works of the group as it will be making announcements on social media platforms and the media, in the near future.
