2nd phase of robotic programme launched for children with disabilities
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) in partnership with ExxonMobil Guyana has launched Phase 2 of its Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme for children with disabilities in Special Education Needs (SEN) schools across Guyana.
A section of the audience at the launch on Tuesday
The launch was held at the Little Rock Suites conference room, New Amsterdam, Region Six. Phase 2 of the STEM Robotics programme will be done in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.
Head of Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Ganesh Singh, addressing the gathering
These new clubs will complement the existing five clubs that were started in Phase 1 of the programme.
Delivering the feature address was the Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six, David Armogan who lauded ExxonMobil and GCOPD for the innovative project and also congratulated the partners for expanding the programme to the various regions.
Armogan also expressed his delight that children with disabilities from his region will have an opportunity to participate.
“Empowering youth are important catalysts for development, especially through science and technology. That is why STEM Education is one of ExxonMobil Guyana’s corporate responsibility focus areas. With this initiative, we are also able to deliver on our other main focus areas of youth and community empowerment,” ExxonMobil Community Relations Manager, Suzie DeAbreu stated during her address.
However, in providing an overview of the programme, Head of GCOPD, Ganesh Singh stated that the programme will cater for 180 children with disabilities from the 12 listed clubs who will be exposed to STEM robotics, environmental awareness, recycling and other topics in the field of STEM.
Singh also related that the participants will have an opportunity to conduct science experiments using the chemistry and physics kits provided through the programme. It was mentioned that all the participants will also be provided with a robotic kit.
Singh further stated that the sessions will be conducted using a hybrid approach due to the pandemic. Sessions will be conducted both psychically and virtually by a team of experienced instructors in the various fields.
