STEMGuyana, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting STEM education in Guyana, says it has signed an exclusive agreement with the International Youth Robotics Competition (IYRC) to train and certify STEM club coaches who will prepare students for participation in the IYRC global robotics competition.
A release on Monday from STEMGuyana said that the agreement will enable it to enforce internationally recognized standards, ensuring that all students in clubs across the country receive the same high-quality education and preparation for the IYRC competition. The agreement also allows STEMGuyana to be the lone body responsible for hosting the national IYRC qualifier robotics competition, from which the top 10 teams will be chosen to participate. All STEMGuyana clubs use high quality MRT-3 robotics kit to create hundreds of different robots and which is also used in the annual IYRC international competition, the release said.
STEMGuyana noted in its release that it had prepared multiple teams, since 2018, for participation in the IYRC competition, with teams earning gold, silver, and most recently, bronze in the 2022 competition. The coaching certification programme collaboration with the IYRC will help STEMGuyana to build on these successes and to develop the skills of young people in Guyana. The IYRC competition, which requires creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills, is a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills in robotics and other STEM fields, the release said. The competition provides a platform for students to learn and grow and develop their abilities in these critical areas.
The certification, according to STEMGuyana, will help to build a strong foundation for STEM education in Guyana and promote STEM education and opportunities for young people in the country. “We are proud to be selected as the certifying body and the body chosen to manage the IYRC qualifier event in Guyana,” stated STEMGuyana Director, Karen Abrams. “We have been working with the IYRC programme since 2018 and we are happy to share our expertise with clubs across Guyana”.
In an invited comment, STEMGuyana Media Representative, L. Caleb Christian said, “STEMGuyana has been working hard to promote STEM education in Guyana, and this agreement with the IYRC is a testament to our commitment and dedication to the children of Guyana. With the coaching certification, STEMGuyana is well-positioned to continue to develop the skills of young people in Guyana and help them to achieve their full potential in these critical areas.”
