140 graduate after training in robotics

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday told the graduating class of participants at the conclusion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Robotics workshop that the venture has opened new avenues for learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.The First Lady was addressing graduates of the three-week programme titled “Lego Robotics Building and Programming” in the boardroom of the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

Some 140 students from various locations across the coastland including Georgetown , Buxton and Lusignan received certificates for their participation in the robotics programme, which was

administered by the United States –based Karen Abrams and her four children – Ima, Asha, Caleb and Joshua Christian, all of Atlanta, Georgia.
According to the First Lady, in the classroom environment emphasis is placed on literacy and numeracy but according to her, STEM “encourages our children to use their minds.” She added that the method of learning may spur children who are not so interested in English, to develop their communication skills in order to advance their social field.
The First Lady said that she was heartened at the number of young faces who participated in the programme as she thanked the organisers and sponsors for their support.
According to her, while she is entering her 7th decade, there is not much which excites her but the possibilities which she envisioned when the subject of robotics was raised, moved her. This was so since she recognized how much technology and information technology and communications play in everyone’s daily lives. She said she understands the value of the knowledge the children would have attained over the duration of the workshops.
As she commended the sponsors, she expressed hope that the collaboration can be expanded and strengthened to the benefit of the young people and communities across Guyana. She posited that the knowledge should be expanded so that children in every community across the country can access robotics and broader educational ambitions.
“I believe that our young people now understand that there is much more to ICT than email and messaging, Youtube , Instagram ,Facebook ,Twitter”, she said .
Abrams, in brief remarks, noted that the workshops involved making connections with local representatives in communities such as Buxton, Lusignan and within the capital city. She said that the workshops catered for persons in the 10-14 age group but according to her, many 16 – 19 year -olds were also interested in the programme and they were subsequently trained as volunteers.
She said a class was also enlisted to form a STEM club, and this also attracted additional persons. A drone concept was floated during the workshop and this form of technology will be considered for future workshops.
The STEM Robotics programme is a public/private global diaspora venture which was conceptualised several months ago and later attracted the attention of the First Lady.
The programme has received the blessings of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Telecommunications, the Ministry of the Presidency and local businesses and professionals among others.
Robotics is the branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. It is considered the pivot of STEM projects.