In what STEMGuyana believes is a “big boost” to its preparations for the upcoming international tournament in Singapore, Duke Lodge has sponsored a STEM Lab at its Duke Street, Kingston facility.
STEM Guyana’s Karen Abrams told the Stabroek News that this was “an exciting development for Guyana’s technology education sector”. Duke Lodge is part of the Roraima Group, and is owned by Gerry Gouveia.
“The international games, known as the First Global Challenge, is an annual event that sees participation from 180 countries. TEAM Guyana has been a consistent participant since the games’ inception in 2017, except for 2022 due to visa issues. Despite these challenges, the team has consistently ranked among the top 30 teams globally, even securing a 10th-place finish in 2017 and winning the prestigious Albert Einstein Gold Medal for Engineering Innovation in 2019,” she added.
Abrams said that this year, the team, primarily composed of future female engineers, will design and create a robot centred around the theme of hydrogen alternative energy. The specific challenge for the competition, set to take place in Singapore in October 2023, has not yet been released.
“We are immensely grateful to Mr Gerry Gouveia Jr for his generous offer of a STEM lab at Duke Lodge, which will greatly aid our preparation for the upcoming tournament,” she expressed. “As a pilot, Mr Gouveia has a deep understanding of the complexities of technology and engineering, and he recognises the value of the investment we are making in Guyana’s future. His understanding of the challenges we face and his willingness to assist us in overcoming them is something STEMGuyana will always remember with deep appreciation.”
STEMGuyana, under Abrams’ leadership, manages 41 learning pods, a programme sponsored by IDBLab, which provides technology enrichment and academic support to children across Guyana. The organisation also oversees 15 STEM clubs, a production studio that has created a children’s show called “Robin the Robot”, and a parent academy to help parents better support their children academically.
TEAM Guyana Robotics 2023 is still in the process of identifying sponsors and raising funds for travel. The team’s success will undoubtedly be a testament to Guyana’s commitment to technology education and the bright future of its young engineers.
