A total of 26 children with disabilities have graduated after completing a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) robotics training facilitated by the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) in partnership with ExxonMobil Guyana.
A simple ceremony was recently held at the auditorium of the David Rose Special Education Needs (SEN) school to mark the occasion.
According to a release from the GCOPD, each participant was presented with a certificate of successful completion of the programme, while the outstanding participants were presented with “3D” printed medals.
At the ceremony, the participants also displayed the robots they built during the programme.
Speaking at the event, GCOPD programme coordinator, Ganesh Singh expressed gratitude to ExxonMobil Guyana for funding the programme which has been in the pipelines for more than two years. He also expressed gratitude to the members of the University of Guyana Robotics Club (UGRC).
Remarks came too from ExxonMobil Guyana’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Karen Matusic and UGRC Coordinator, Farnaz Baksh.
The STEM programme for children with disabilities was piloted in five Special Education Needs (SEN) schools in Region Four.
Through the four-month programme, the children were exposed to the STEM subjects using robotic technology. The children were also taught complex concepts using the technology which helped them to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
The participants also developed a higher level of environmental awareness, since the robotic kits were solar-powered and utilized recyclable materials for the construction of the robots.
Each participant was given a tablet computer and a robotic kit. Currently, plans are in place to replicate the programme in the other SEN schools across Guyana using virtual means. Meanwhile, another ceremony is scheduled for the remaining 27 persons who participated in the programme.
