| Author(s): |
Central Bank Of Barbados |
Matthew Clarke, the Central Bank of
Barbados’ 2017 scholar for the Students’ Programme for Innovation in Science
and Engineering (SPISE), sees his upcoming participation in the programme as a
major step in his journey to pursuing a career in electrical engineering.
The 17 year old Queen’s College student
also revealed what he hopes to accomplish during the four-week residential
programme, which will take place at the University of the West Indies, Cave
Hill Campus from July 15 to August 13. “I am looking forward to getting my
introduction to robotics because I have not had any practical experience with
it. It’s also a great opportunity for me to really get hands-on experience with
the specific fields.”
Clarke has always had an aptitude for STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, something that
seems to run in his family: his father is an electrical engineer while his
mother is a food scientist. His brother and sister, both a year older than he
is, will be studying engineering in Canada in the next academic year.
Like his siblings, he intends to pursue
higher education overseas, although for him, the ideal school would be Brown
University. He believes that SPISE could improve his chances of being accepted
there. “SPISE is a prestigious programme, and I hope that the detailed and
intense learning experience in the required subject areas will go a long way
into helping me get into a very good university.”
After thanking the Central Bank for
sponsoring his time at SPISE, Clarke encouraged the business sector to offer
more opportunities for students to develop their skills. “People that are
involved in STEM are problem solvers and the best thing to have in any company,
institution or household is a problem solver. So really and truly, from that
perspective, it should be a no-brainer to invest in the future of those that
are passionate about it.”
SPISE, an initiative of the Caribbean
Science Foundation, is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s
(MIT) Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) programme. Prominent
Barbadian physicist, Professor Cardinal Warde, is the Faculty Director for both
programmes.
In order to be accepted to SPISE, applicants
must submit recommendations from three teachers, provide their academic
transcripts for the past three years, and write four essays, including one that
asks them to identify how STEM can help solve a significant problem facing the
Caribbean.
2017-07-11