The STEMGuyana all-female team, who earlier this month went to Singapore to compete in the FIRST Global Competition in Singapore, has returned home. The team copped the 23rd spot among 191 countries competing. That is a feat by any standard if one could appreciate Guyana’s education dilemma.
World Bank Report on Guyana’s education
A World Bank 2022 Report on Guyana stated that whilst Guyana spends a lot on education, Guyana’s education lags behind her Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) counterparts. Guyana’s scores at CXC and CAPE are lower in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math [STEM] compared to other participating countries in the region.
Evaluating the Human Capital Index, the report noted that a child born in Guyana today will only be 50 percent as productive when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health. This is lower than the average for the LAC region and upper middle-income countries.
The Bank stated the low human capital score is in part driven by low educational and health outcomes. It was pointed out that although the average Guyanese student is expected to complete 12.2 years of schooling, this is equivalent to only 6.8 years of learning when expressed in terms of Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS).
STEMGuyana boosts Guyana’s education
Enters STEMGuyana which is adding a boost to Guyana’s education and development of its people. The enthusiasm in the eyes of Guyana’s children and intense focus on STEM outside the classroom are in significant measures to the untiring commitment and nurturing guidance of Karen Abram, Director STEMGuyana. She piloted the introduction of STEM in Guyana, as integrated disciplines to, Guyanese children.
Asked to explain STEM, Abrams told Village Voice News most people have a rudimentary understanding of the term, “STEM.” She advised, in modern terms STEM relates to programmes which integrate the four areas plus the arts to prepare young people for the innovative 21st Century development and careers.
And “STEMGuyana might be the only organisation in the entire Caribbean which has a STEM programme that prepares young people for such opportunities, from the primary school level,” Abrams noted.
Before Karen launched the programme in 2016 there was a dearth of interest in this area often seen only for those who are “bright,” from privileged background, and primarily male.
Under Abrams’ watchful eyes for talent and/or interest- irrespective of socio-economic background, gender and other diversity- she has attracted children across the spectrum, smashing stereotypes, breaking barriers and proving with commitment and hard work anything is possible.
Her work to target Guyana’s children and support them, which for many would have been an improbable experience or opportunity, attracted the attention of former first lady, Sandra Granger who was visiting Georgia, United States. Abrams pitched her ideas to Granger, who was most welcoming. The planting of a seed led to the fruition of four robotics camps, catering to some 400 students, who had no inkling of things STEM-driven. These camps were a resounding success and paved the way for the establishment of STEMGuyana in August 2016.
Motivation behind STEMGuyana
Karen, who has a business background and worked in corporate America at managerial level, had the support of her husband, Leon Christian, four children and other loved ones. From get go. She told Village Voice News this journey, which she enjoys “every moment of,” would not have been possible without the love and support of family, friends and a supportive community.
“When I told my husband and children, I want to return to Guyana to help prepare Guyana’s children for the 21st Century and oil and gas economy as the older generations prepared me as a child to be successful, they not only provided emotional, knowledge and other support, often times coming to Guyana to join me, but they have been my strongest shoulders to lean on.” With a laugh, Abrams said, “and I do lean on them, ever so often.” Guyana’s children must be able to compete for any job, lead or own any business in this economy, she shared.
Abrams said she remembers growing up in Guyana and being able to balance schoolwork and play competitive sports, and these were made possible by the older generation who invested in her, gave her a chance to learn, make mistakes, develop confidence and team spirit, compete and be successful in the workplace. Growing up, I not only counted on my parents, siblings, grandparents and other extended family, but the entire community, she said.
“It takes a village, man, and I was fortunate to have that village support; people who taught me well and allowed me to lead the way,” Abrams reflected. “I was prepared for life’s experiences by others who invested in me and I feel it is my duty to reciprocate to the younger generation and help prepare them for similar opportunities.”
STEMGuyana students and support teams, along with ordinary Guyanese, businesses and agencies, local and external, reflect a potpourri of camaraderie. Asked to comment on this fact, Karen said “I like it. When children are involved, adults should motivate them and provide positive leadership. Our children are not concerned, and should not be burdened, with the challenges of life that are the responsibility of adults. They desire to study, work and play in an environment that is caring and not acrimonious. We at STEMGuyana strive to do this every day.”
STEMGuyana’s activities, collaboration and global competition
In 2017 STEMGuyana collaborated with the Ministry of Education to launch a Maths App for the National Grade Six Assessment.
Two years after its launch (2018) STEMGuyana Robotics Team participated in the Global Robotics Competition, held in Washington DC. Guyana placed 10th.
In 2019, STEMGuyana participated in the International STEM Competition. Guyana placed 39th out of the 190 participating countries and copped the Albert Einstein Gold Medal of Excellence.
STEMGuyana has produced “Robin The Robot,” a television talk show, to ensure continuity of education in the pandemic.
STEMGuyana also produced the podcast “Learning Pods” which is screened in nine of the country’s ten administrative regions.
There are more than two hundred plus STEM Club leaders across Guyana imparting knowledge to new and current learners.
STEMGuyana has produced a curriculum and material support for 70 plus local STEM clubs, and prepared youth robotics national teams for participation in local and international competitions.
STEMGuyana also runs a programme called Scratch Coding which teaches children coding logic. The programme also has a competition component to it. The programme is presently on hiatus.
Applying the concept of “it takes a village to raise a child” to 21st century technology, STEMGuyana piloted a role for the parents through the ‘Parent Academy’ where parents, with children in Grade 1 to 10, are empowered to learn about the programme and be able to supervise and teach their children.
Last year, STEMGuyana was unable to participate in the FIRST Global Challenge which was held in Geneva, Switzerland due to visa issues. Evidently it did not daunt the spirit of STEMGuyana. In 2023 they returned to the international arena.
STEMGuyana’s goal
One of STEMGuyana’s goal is to have a presence in every community across Guyana and give every child a chance. Karen said STEMGuyana is committed to leaving no child behind that has interest, and according to her “it matters not their socio-economic background or location.” When this publication asked Karen Abrams how she feels about STEMGuyana’s accomplishments, her simple response is: “I wish I could do more.”
To know more about STEMGuyana and/or be part of the STEMGuyana family visit https://stemguyana.com/ and/or https://www.facebook.com/stemguyana
