All-female team wins STEM competition

Throughout the month of March, the vital role that women played in shaping history was commemorated and at a time when female accomplishments are being celebrated, it is noteworthy that the Barbados winning team of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) video competition comprises young women.

Yesterday morning, during the prize-giving ceremony that was held in the hall of Harrison College, Ambassador of the United States to Barbados, Linda Taglialatela, was proud to formally congratulate the seven Second Formers of the institution, who recently won the United States Embassy STEM video contest, where competitors were asked to submit one-minute videos which explained why they believed STEM was important in their communities.

Taglialatela explained that the competition was a part of their ongoing efforts to create STEM education because she believed that education in the STEM fields drives economic growth, fuels stimulation and empowers the youth. She revealed that out of the great number of videos they received, the Second Form team was the only video to demonstrate a practical application of STEM in students’ everyday lives.

She also mentioned that the important contributions of women in STEM fields, both past and present, were once previously overlooked and added that she was pleased by the fact that they were gaining the proper recognition they deserved. Taglialatela added that more companies in the United States and agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) were developing more initiatives driven towards inspiring girls to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

The US Ambassador strongly encouraged the contest winners and other interested students to continue on the path of STEM careers as it is the advancement of these fields that will facilitate the growth of the community. She also invited them to visit the US Embassy STEM Facebook page for more information about future contests and embassy initiatives for students.

The seven girls – Diara Mayers, Staciann Callender, Alyssa Torrence, Saje Reid, Jasmin Thompson, Rehana Alleyne and Mariah Gittens – along with their mentor Shawn Hunte, were awarded STEM-themed books and a Celestron telescope for their hard work and creativity in the contest.

“Ladies, a job well done,” the Ambassador beamed.