STEMGuyana and the Guyana National Library, in association with the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry Of The Presidency, Ministry Of Public Telecommunications and private sector partners will be launching a nationwide “Reading & Robotics” programme which aims to encourage students to read more, while creating opportunities for them to learn about robotics, coding and Mathematics.
The programme will be launched in thirteen libraries, representing five main branches and eight rural centres in five regions of Guyana.
The coalition of organizers is inviting representatives from the Diaspora and the Guyana private sector to join “this first of its kind programme” by sponsoring at least one library.
Sponsorship will include the purchase of three robot kits, five tablets and training for two trainers for the use of the youth of each community library.
Minister Cathy Hughes has pledge to make internet connectivity available in each of the participating libraries.
STEMGuyana Co-Founder Karen Abrams, in a statement, said that, “we firmly believe that talent is equally distributed in every community of Guyana, but unfortunately opportunity is not. To that end, our partnership with the National Library will enable us to bring opportunities for STEM education to children who wouldn’t normally have access to such programs and we are hoping that our corporate partners join us on this mission.”
The five main libraries included in the launch of the national “Reading & Robotics” program will be branches at Georgetown, Bagotville, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Ruimveldt and Linden.
The eight rural centres will include branches at Buxton, Golden Grove, Hague, Mahaicony, Mocha, Stanleytown, Stewartville, Lichfield, Kuru Kururu and Salem will be included in the first round of libraries.
The “Reading & Robotics” program will require all participants to obtain a library membership, and all students will also be encouraged to read for fifteen minutes before they begin work on their robot building and programming and Scratch coding sessions.
After three months of learning and preparation, students will compete in the International Youth Robotics Competition qualifier national tournament in 2019 and make themselves eligible to represent Guyana in the international robotics competition.
In addition to joining the developing world in early preparation of our youth for a technological future, STEM club youth will also learn the very important soft skills of collaboration, communication, conflict resolution and critical thinking.
“Our young people will also be able to compete equitably with students from around the world and will use their technology and soft skills to contribute to the rapid development of Guyana”, said STEMGuyana Co-Founder, Ima Christian.
The “Reading & Robotics” programme will be launched at 9:00h on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the Racquet Centre, Thomas Lands (opposite GTI), after which more than fifteen library representatives will be trained to be STEM club coaches.
