"Rover Ruckus" Takes Local Robotics to New Heights
After months of work designing, building and programming their robots to compete in the Minds Inspired Robotics’ FIRST Technical Challenge, eight teams from Grand Cayman’s local high schools gathered at the Camana Bay Arts & Recreation Centre on 11 May for an out-of-this-world competition.
Themed “Rover Ruckus”, Aureum Re, Caribbean Utilities Co., Digicel and Health City Cayman Islands sponsored the event in partnership with Dart Minds Inspired.
Excellence in Teaching STEM Awards Celebrates Local Educators
The Dart Minds Inspired Award for Excellence in Teaching STEM was held on May 2 at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands to recognise outstanding educators in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – collectively known as STEM.
Students Gear Up for "Rover Ruckus" Robotics Challenge
For the past three months, nine teams from local high schools across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac have been working to develop prototypes of their robots to compete in the first Minds Inspired MI robotics’ FIRST Technical Challenge, themed “Rover Ruckus.”
Aqua Lasers, Brac Bots Dominate Again at Underwater Robotics Challenge
The John Gray Aqua Lasers and Layman E. Scott Brac Bots will represent the Cayman Islands for the second time at the 2019 International SeaPerch Challenge in College Park, Maryland, 1-2 June.
Interschool Chess Tournament A Success
More than 120 students from 8 local schools participated in the inaugural Interschool Chess Tournament sponsored by Dart Minds Inspired. Hosted by Cayman International School, the competition was held on Wednesday, 27 February, at the Arts and Recreation Centre in Camana Bay.
The tournament, which featured round robin and championship rounds with divisions for primary, middle and high school students, lasted for approximately four hours.
Minds Inspired and CUC Encourage Students to Dream Big
In celebration of Engineering Week, Dart Minds Inspired and Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) partnered to host a special screening of “Dream Big: Engineering Our World” for a select group of local high school students on Friday, 22 February.
Approximately 130 students from seven high schools across Grand Cayman gathered at the Camana Bay Cinema to watch the award-winning documentary feature and experience presentations from 10 engineers from both Dart and CUC.
Dart Education Programmes Manager Glenda McTaggart says the students were recommended to attend the event by their teachers as a result of their strong interest in engineering.
“I am delighted to see so many young people interested in STEM and, in particular, engineering,” she says. “This event was an incredible opportunity to connect interested students with local STEM leaders.”
Dart and CUC employees with backgrounds in mechanical, civil, electrical, geotechnical and biological and power engineering explained their educational backgrounds and career paths, took student questions, and highlighted the career opportunities in engineering.
Dart Executive Vice President of Development Planning & Asset Management Justin Howe says engineering presents exciting and rewarding career opportunities.
“An engineering degree is a very sought after and highly paid qualification, increasingly so in the connected world in which we live. It is the passport that opens opportunities throughout the world in careers that are interesting, challenging and well paid,” he says.
CUC President Richard Hew says that engineers shape the world we live in.
“Engineering is about making the world a better place and improving quality of life. CUC is anticipating that some of these students will become engineers in the future,” he says.
Their insights had a clear effect on the student audience and, when Mrs. McTaggart asked how many students felt empowered to pursue a career in engineering, the theatre was full of raised hands.
“We are proud to continue to emphasise STEM in the Cayman Islands, partner with like-minded organisations to promote STEM careers and host events that help young people engage with local innovators and leaders,” she says.