What many feared would become another casualty of bureaucracy has instead become a story of resilience, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to Guyana’s children.
The Blackman-Waddell Summer Math Institute, formerly the Queen’s College Summer Mathematics Institute, will proceed as scheduled after STEMGuyana Founder and Executive Director Dr. Karen Abrams partnered with internationally respected mathematicians Dr. Terrence Blackman and Dr. Cleveland Waddell to ensure the programme continued despite losing its traditional venue.
Now in its 10th year, the Blackman-Waddell Summer Math Institute will run from Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31, at St. Rose’s High School, with classes beginning at 9:00 a.m. Students are encouraged to arrive by 8:45 a.m., and lunch will be provided daily. The week-long programme is designed to expose some of Guyana’s brightest young minds to world-class mathematics, challenging them to think beyond the classroom while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators and problem-solvers.
Designed for gifted students in Forms Three to Five from secondary schools across Guyana, participants are selected based on exceptional aptitude and interest in mathematics—not the school they attend. During the intensive week-long programme, students are immersed in advanced mathematics, computational thinking, programming and collaborative problem-solving under the guidance of internationally recognised educators.
The programme’s new home follows the Queen’s College Board of Governors’ decision earlier this month to deny the Queen’s College Alumni Association of New York (QCAANY) access to the school’s computer laboratory, where the institute had been hosted since its inception. The decision attracted widespread criticism after educators warned that children—not administrators—would ultimately pay the highest price.
Rather than allowing months of planning and volunteer effort to unravel, Abrams opened STEMGuyana’s doors but was forced to appeal to the St Roses Board of Governors for space since STEMGuyana’s popular Summer programmes has filled the building to capacity. The approval of the request by the St Roses High School Board ensures that dozens of gifted students would not lose access to one of Guyana’s premier mathematics enrichment programmes.
Blackman, a distinguished mathematician, educator and researcher, serves as Professor and Chair at Medgar Evers College, City University of New York (CUNY) and will become Interim Dean of the School of Science and Allied Health in August. Throughout his career, he has championed excellence in mathematics while expanding access to STEM education across the Caribbean.
Waddell, an applied mathematician, educator and data scientist, is a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, specialising in cybersecurity research. Holding a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University, he has earned a reputation for making advanced mathematics accessible while mentoring young scholars and future educators.
Abrams has spent years creating opportunities for Guyanese children through STEMGuyana, introducing more than 20,000 students to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and other STEM disciplines. She also founded Pathway Online Academy, an AI-powered learning platform designed to prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Abrams holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Technology from the University of Florida, an MBA from San Francisco State University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University.
Since its launch in 2016, the institute has selected approximately 35 secondary school students each year from across Guyana. Delivered entirely through volunteerism and sponsorship, the programme provides world-class instruction, meals, transportation, educational materials and enrichment activities free of charge.
Its impact extends well beyond mathematics. The institute develops critical thinking, leadership, collaboration and innovation while exposing students to careers in mathematics, engineering, computer science, data science and artificial intelligence. It has also established a pipeline of future educators, with outstanding graduates returning as assistant tutors to mentor the next generation of participants.
Earlier this month, Waddell challenged the Queen’s College Board’s decision by contrasting its rejection letter with remarks delivered by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at last year’s closing ceremony. Singh praised the institute for helping his daughter grow academically and personally, saying she “didn’t just excel academically—she grew as a person. Her confidence bloomed, her independence sharpened, and her belief in her own potential deepened.”
Today, the programme has found a new home.
The collaboration between Abrams, Blackman and Waddell demonstrates that when educational leaders place students first, obstacles can become opportunities. For the gifted young scholars who will walk through the doors of St Rose’s High School on Monday, the institute represents far more than a week of mathematics—it is an investment in their potential and, ultimately, in Guyana’s future.
