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Seventeen-year-old Sariah Mc Lean, a student at The St. Michael School, has never been one to shy away from a challenge. This summer, she earned the opportunity to attend the Caribbean Science Foundation’s (CSF) Students Programme for Innovation, Science and Engineering (SPISE), a prestigious five-week residential programme for Caribbean students. This life-changing experience was made possible through a scholarship sponsored annually by the Central Bank of Barbados, awarded to a secondary school student aged 16-18 who aspires to a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Sariah’s passion for STEM was sparked through her school experiences, where subjects like physics and robotics opened her eyes to the possibilities of real-world innovation. After completing her secondary education, she plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at an overseas university. Her ultimate dream? To design advanced computer chips and help shape the technology of tomorrow.
Sariah is a consistent high achiever. This year, she earned Grade Ones across the board in her CAPE subjects. She also placed third in the 2024 Women’s National Chess Championship and currently serves as the president of her school’s chess club, while preparing to lead the science club in the upcoming term.
Beyond academics, she is actively involved in the debate club and the Youth Orchestra, where she expresses her love for the violin. Her other interests include playing the piano, coding, and listening to music.
Reflecting on her SPISE journey, Sariah spoke about how she discovered the opportunity and the impact it had on her. She first heard about the programme during the 2023 Math Olympiad, where she earned a bronze medal. “As soon as I heard about it, I knew I had to apply,” she recalled.
Despite her long list of accomplishments, she admitted to feeling uncertain about her chances. Sariah shared that she didn’t think she would have been this year’s recipient compared to those who would’ve gone before her. Still, the experience was not what she expected. “I knew that it was going to be challenging and intense, but it was actually really fun.”
The programme not only pushed her academically but also helped her grow personally. She built strong connections with fellow students across the region and embraced every learning moment. “There were a lot of failures,” she shared, “but it just taught me to keep going, even when nothing is going right, and overall it made me more confident in taking on new challenges.”
The SPISE scholarship is part of the Central Bank of Barbados’ ongoing support for youth and education. Other initiatives include sponsorship of CSF’s junior robotics camp, the Roland Craigwell Memorial and Central Bank of Barbados scholarships for University of the West Indies students, and its annual summer internship programme through which tertiary-level students gain hands-on experience in a range of fields.