The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday welcomed a team of talented young female scientists and innovators who are preparing to represent the country at the FIRST Global STEM competition in South Korea.
The young women were invited to Cabinet to showcase their work and demonstrate the robot they have designed and constructed for the international competition.
The team represents several secondary schools across Antigua and Barbuda and emerged from the Government-supported STEM programme, which seeks to expose young people to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and encourage greater innovation and problem-solving among students.
Cabinet was advised that this year’s delegation is significant as it represents an all-girls team, demonstrating the growing participation of young women in areas of science and technology traditionally dominated by males.
The students introduced themselves to members of Cabinet and explained their individual roles on the team, which include responsibilities for engineering, coding and operating the robot.
The young innovators, ranging in age from 14 to 16 years, also explained the extensive testing and modifications being undertaken ahead of the international competition.
The team’s presentation included a demonstration and explanation of its specially designed robot, affectionately named “Hot Spill.”
Team members explained that the FIRST Global competition requires participating countries to use standard kits to design and construct robots capable of completing a series of prescribed tasks.
For one of the challenges, the Antigua and Barbuda team designed its robot to collect game pieces and deposit them efficiently into a large container.
The students incorporated an expandable mechanism capable of collecting a greater quantity of game pieces, along with a lifting system designed to deposit several pieces simultaneously rather than individually.
The robot is also being developed to perform a climbing component of the competition, with additional points available for assisting another robot to climb.
The students told Cabinet that testing and modifications were continuing as they sought to maximise the robot’s performance ahead of the competition.
Cabinet members expressed pride in the creativity, confidence and technical ability displayed by the students and congratulated them on earning the opportunity to represent Antigua and Barbuda internationally.
Cabinet was informed that the team emerged from the annual STEM Camp supported by the Government, which provides young Antiguans and Barbudans with free exposure to STEM disciplines.
Approximately 300 students participated in the programme this year, working in teams and competing in various activities before the strongest performers were selected to form the national team.
The Board of Education has provided approximately EC$30,000 towards the team’s participation in the international competition.
Cabinet noted that the programme is consistent with the Government’s wider education objective of developing a generation of thinkers, problem-solvers and innovators who are capable of using science and technology to address real-world challenges.
The Government is also examining opportunities to expand STEM activities within the education system and to establish additional after-school programmes that can provide young people with constructive activities while developing skills relevant to the modern economy.
Cabinet noted that greater exposure to areas such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, innovation and financial literacy can provide young people with valuable pathways to further education, entrepreneurship and future employment.
Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne and members of Cabinet congratulated the students on their achievement and wished them every success as they prepare to carry the flag of Antigua and Barbuda onto the international STEM stage.
Cabinet reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to investing in STEM education and creating opportunities that will allow more young Antiguans and Barbudans, particularly young women, to develop their talents in science, engineering, technology and innovation.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Cabinet Welcomes All-Girls STEM Team Ahead of FIRST Global Competition in South Korea.