STEM club for children with disabilities launched in Region 2
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), in partnership with the Exceptional Learners Centre of Region Two, and with support from ExxonMobil Guyana, on Wednesday launched a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) club for children with disabilities.
This new club is a component of GCOPD – ExxonMobil Guyana’s broader STEM programme for children with disabilities, through which STEM clubs have been established and maintained in Special Education Needs (SEN) schools and resource units across Guyana.
GCOPD, in partnership with the Exceptional Learners Centre of Region 2, and with support from ExxonMobil Guyana, launched a STEM Club for children with disabilities on Wednesday
The aim of the new club, like the others, is to expose the participants to the field of STEM through robotic technology, while facilitating the development of critical life skills among the beneficiaries.
Delivering remarks at the simple launch were LaShauna Prescott, Community Relations Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana; Ganesh Singh, Programme Manager of the GCOPD; Vilma Da Silva, Chairperson of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC); and Shabana Prashad, Headteacher at the Exceptional Learners Centre.
In her remarks, Prescott highlighted the importance of fostering an appreciation of STEM in children with disabilities.
“ExxonMobil Guyana is grateful for the opportunity to partner with GCOPD in supporting this initiative that breaks down barriers, creates opportunities, and promotes inclusion in this aspect of learning. This programme allows students to engage in hands-on STEM activities, explore their passions, and develop essential skills for the future,” she expressed.
Children and members of the partnership, along with others, interacting at the launch
In his remarks, Singh underscored the impact of the STEM programme on the lives of children with disabilities. He also highlighted the importance of children with disabilities developing critical life skills, which are facilitated by the STEM programme.
Prashad, headteacher of the Exceptional Learners Centre, expressed her appreciation to GCOPD and ExxonMobil Guyana for establishing the club at her school.
Also in attendance were teachers, students and parents from the Exceptional Learners Centre, along with a few members of the disability community in Region Two.
The STEM programme is an ongoing programme implemented by GCOPD and funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, through which children with disabilities in the various SEN schools and resource units are exposed to robotic technology, coding, general STEM concepts, environmental awareness among other areas.
The beneficiaries are also exposed to life skills training such as teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, among other essential skills. The objective is to develop an appreciation and understanding of the field of STEM while developing critical life skills to be independent productive citizens.
The GCOPD STEM programme has been in existence since February of 2020 with over 20 STEM clubs for children with disabilities across the country.
The GCOPD is the umbrella body that represents the majority of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) from across Guyana, working in the areas of advocacy and capacity building. The OPDs represent all types of disabilities.
