21 benefit from STEM training for “green development”

Twelve teachers from Bartica, along with four community stakeholders, on Saturday, February 03, 2018, underwent a one-day training workshop in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Robotics.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP), the activity is aimed at equipping them with technological skills, which can assist in providing modern solutions to the challenges of transitioning Bartica to the first model ‘green’ town in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The event also saw the participation of five other persons, drawn from the Lusignan/Good Hope Learning Centre and The Deaf Association of Guyana who are training to become STEM Guyana Club Coaches.

The training is a collaborative effort between the Office of Climate Change (OCC), Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and the STEM Guyana, was held in the Ministry of Public Telecommunications Boardroom and facilitated by Founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams and her daughter, Imah Abrams.

According to the MOtP release, Project Manager of the Bartica Transitioning to National Energy Security Project, Gavin Bovell, explained that the OCC is cognisant of the fact that science and technology play a critical role in developing solutions to many common issues.

Taking this into context, he said that the OCC in June 2017, launched a US$650,000 pilot project, for the purpose of establishing a reliable point of reference for the existing state of energy use in Bartica.

The financing was received from the Government of Italy in support of the Model ‘Green’ Town, Bartica Project. The data generated from this project will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decision-making and pursuance of projects and programmes.

The Ministry said one of the aspects of the five-component project focused on sensitisation and awareness among the populace.

It is in this context, Bovell said that the project was born, to not only raise awareness but also equip the residents, particularly students with the relevant skills to help find viable solutions.

“For the sensitisation, what we planned to do is to go into schools and have hands-on activities. So we thought it interesting and timely that the STEM Guyana team was here in Guyana already and so we decided to collaborate to sponsor 16 persons to be trained so that they can go back into their communities and schools and train students. We believe that this is important because the kids can go back into their communities and come up with solutions using the applied skills that they would have received that they can come up with their own solutions,” Bovell is quoted as saying.

The pilot project, under which the workshop falls, is divided into two phases, the Ministry said.

In phase one, which is currently being implemented over a period of 12 months, energy audits and public awareness exercises are being completed, along with the establishment of an energy data management centre.

In phase two, the Ministry said the information gathered will be used for the scale-up of projects.