STEMGuyana graced the Central Berbice Chamber Of Commerce to exhibit robots, MIT Scratch programming and the First Global 10th Place world robotics championship robot, to visitors of the 2017 annual Berbice Expo. The event was held at the Albion Sports Complex in East Corentyne, Guyana.
Co-founder of STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams explained that, “the initiative wanted to sensitize parents and expose youths to the magic of technology by teaching them why technology fields like robotics are important, even to Guyana. Today’s youth will need to be properly prepared for a much different Guyana; one that is technologically advanced, and where STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math] skills will be in high demand.” Abrams went on to state that, “young people all over the world are being prepared to take advantage of these opportunities and STEMGuyana is intent on making sure that Guyana’s youth won’t be left behind”
Representing Guyana at the Expo were Team Guyana members Horace Moseley and Christopher Nelson. Moseley shared, “I was pleasantly surprised by the huge crowds and by the interest in our booth. Crowds just kept coming and we were literally swamped from the time we opened up the booth to us walking away after 10pm with the robots in our arms. People keep asking questions, and we were happy to share information with them”
STEMGuyana member and Coach of the outstanding Team Guyana, Ricky Chan stated that, “since returning from the Washington DC competition in July 2017, STEMGuyana members have been working on different projects. Some have gone back to university and high school, some are working on upgrading the Math App, others are working on the STEMGuyana Math, Robotics and Programming leagues while others are working in the STEMGuyana Labs program to build a prototype of a working robot which will be designed to solve a major problem facing communities in Guyana.”
The STEMGuyana team in Berbice included STEMGuyana Co-Directors, Mr Colin Sawh and Ms Karen Abrams, Certified Trainer [pending], Aishia Peters, Team Guyana Coach and Certified Trainer [pending] Ricky Chan, TEAM Guyana members Horace Moseley and Christopher Nelson, and Volunteer Project Manager Romaine Benn.
STEMGuyana is a local initiative, sponsored by the Office Of The First Lady and a group of Diaspora Members who are intent on “Unleashing the world class potential of Guyanese youth” through teaching of technology concepts using Lego Mindstorm robotics, MIT Scratch programming and competitive Maths programs at both the primary and secondary levels of education. STEMGuyana has partnered with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and Ministry of Education on past initiatives.