The young Bahamian engineers, web developers and professionals of Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA) Group, partnering with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology are aiming for bigger and better with their sophomore engineering and technology summer camp for high school students, offering a wider curriculum to what they hope will be a more diverse enrolment.
The free five-day summer camp will be hosted July 13-18 at The College of The Bahamas under the theme “Connecting Worlds: STEMming the Bridge to the Future”.
BETA was co-founded by bio-medical engineer Trenicka Rolle and chemical engineer D’André Wilson-Ihejirika
Expanding on last year’s inaugural camp, this year’s program will accept 30 percent more students and place more focus on Family Island and public school enrolment, according to chemical engineer Wilson-Ihejirika.
“Last year’s camp was incredible, especially for an inaugural event, however this year we are looking to create a more electrifying experience for even more students,” said Wilson-Ihejirika. “We accepted 77 students last year, after aiming for 60, but this year we are increasing that number to 100. We hope to build on the 15 Grand Bahamian students we had last year and attract 20 Family Island students to this year’s camp. We have also noticed relatively low enrolment from public school kids and are looking into ways to work with our partner, the Ministry of Education, to boost those numbers,” she said.
BETA will also be improving the curriculum, adding a new engineering discipline to its menu. Students who attend the camp will be able to choose between seven science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) streams comprised of biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, information technology and Web development, computer and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and the newest stream, industrial engineering.
Each stream will be taught by engineers and technologists with the assistance of student volunteers. The BETA group recruits qualified Bahamian university and college students to assist with teaching and preparing the dynamic laboratory-based sessions, while gaining experience working under knowledgeable professionals.
Students are also challenged with a multidisciplinary group project aimed at solving real problems facing The Bahamas. Students are encouraged to use their technical and analytical skills to approach the problem from several angles and provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted solution. Last year, students developed innovative solutions for coral reef preservation and Junkanoo parades, targeting the infamous long waits between groups.
Rolle said the BETA team was ecstatic with last year’s results and looked forward to reconvening on New Providence.
“BETA Camp is the first of its kind in The Bahamas and it is definitely filling a need,” she said. “Education is a prevalent concern for parents and citizens recently, and studies show that the critical thinking and analytical skills students acquire in STEM courses assist them throughout their other studies and later in their professional lives. It was amazing for all of us who freely gave our time to participate, to see how engaged and excited the students were. In their feedback, parents and students rated the BETA camp experience at a 4.5 out of five. We have hit the ground running to make this year’s a perfect five out of five.”
The all-Bahamian, all-volunteer BETA team responsible for this year’s camp include Trenicka Rolle, president; D’André Wilson-Ihejirika, vice-president; Latoya Johnson, treasurer; Travis Miller, director of communications; Kordero St. Cyr, director of programs; Najah Plakaris, secretary; Bradley Thompson Jr.; Edison Hanchell; Antoine Sands; Brittny Major; Albrion Symonette; Dr. Carlton Watson; Kadesh Hepburn; Andrew Nottage; Philip Clarke; Tareco Johnson; Eron Missick and Davon Edgecombe.
• For more information on how to donate, sponsor a child, or volunteer with BETA Camp visit the site at www.betac242.com or email the board at betac242@gmail.com.
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