Minister Cathy Hughes interacting with the children
A total of 35 Information Communication Technologies (ICT) hubs are equipped to offer training in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM.
Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes made this announcement during a visit to St Pius Primary School on Wednesday, where she stated that this is one of the schools that was assisted with robotic kits and other ICT services.
These kits give students an opportunity to learn the dynamics of coding, wireless communication and sensor technology.
“We are making sure that we’re doing STEM training in as many of our hubs that we’re able to organise. Right now, we have earmarked 35 hubs where students in the area and students in schools close to where those ICT hubs are will be able to come and get some training,” said Hughes.
She placed emphasis once again on opportunities which will be created in the future, primarily in the ICT sector. According to her, students should take advantage of these opportunities and try to earn a living from the prospects of the ICT sector.
“The jobs that are going to be available in the future, you’re going to need to have these skills…start thinking as to how you will be able to make a living from this when you get older,” the Minister stated.
Software programs were also installed on the school’s computer systems, which are open to teachers as well.
This initiative comes as Guyana has been listed as the host for the youth robotics pre-qualifier competition. Qualifiers will then go to represent Guyana at the International Youth Robotics Competition.
STEM Guyana will ultimately select local students to vie against other youths from around the world in the seven to 12, 13 to 17 and open categories of the competition. The teams will be selected from eight regions from across the country.
STEM Guyana, in association with the Ministry, had launched a series of certification sessions for technology buffs or school leaders who are interested in starting technology clubs in their communities.
Coaches were introduced to details about the league, how to organise and lead a technology club, how to fundraise for their club, how to prepare young people to compete in a global marketplace, how to use the league competition software, the basics of building and programming robots and the fundamentals of MIT Scratch programming.
Students utilising the kits to build models and robots
