From Barbados Today

The Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), a non-profit organization promoting science and technology in the Caribbean, has announced the graduation of 24 students – the largest class yet – from its flagship programme, the Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE).

This year, students ages 16-18 participated from 13 countries – Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad.

The annual four-week programme was held on the Barbados campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), and included university-level calculus, physics, biochemistry, entrepreneurship and Caribbean unity, as well as hands-on projects in computer programming, under-water robotics and renewable energy/electronics.

SPISE instructors comprised academic and industry professionals from the United States including MIT, and faculty from UWI.

On Friday, August 11, 2017, the programme culminated with the students of the 2017 SPISE presenting their underwater robotics, renewable energy, computer programming and entrepreneurship projects to an enthusiastic audience of sponsors, colleagues, friends and family.

Professor Cardinal Warde, Interim Executive Director of the CSF, who launched SPISE in 2012, said that “the programme’s goal is to help groom the next generation of Caribbean science and engineering leaders. Creativity, innovation, teamwork and excellence are the standards at SPISE, and the students graduate with not only newly found knowledge but also increased self-confidence.”

SPISE graduates receive assistance on their university applications, and are eligible for internship positions in the Caribbean, Canada and the USA, which give them the opportunity to work in business settings and to experience first-hand the application of science and engineering to developing products.

Key important partners for SPISE are the UWI – Cave Hill Campus, and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

IMAGE: Students testing underwater robots

For more on this story go to: https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/08/13/largest-class-graduates-from-prestigious-regional-stem-programme/