FEM STEM Bahama in conjunction with The Department of Gender and Family Affairs recognized and rewarded girls who excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for the 2nd Annual “STEM GEM” Awards Ceremony.
On December 14th 2020 - FEM STEM Bahamas in conjunction with The Department of Gender and Family Affairs recognized and rewarded girls who excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for the 2nd Annual “#STEM GEM” Awards Ceremony.
FEM STEM Bahamas is a #nonprofit organization whose prime mission is to expose, educate and #empower #girls to explore the opportunities within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics realm whilst fostering the fundamentals in self growth and career development. With the continuous shift towards bridging the gender and skill gap in STEM, the organization will serve as a catalyst for this change. This will be achieved by providing resources, several year-round initiatives, field trips, seminars, and after school programs for high school girls between the ages of thirteen (13) and eighteen (18).
According to the Department of Statistics’ 2012 Socio-Economic Report, of the thirty-six (36) graduates who received degrees related to science, technology, and mathematics at the University of The Bahamas, only eleven (11) were female. Statistically, the regional average for the Caribbean and Latin America is 45.5% -- notably higher than the global standard. However, there is still a great deal of work needed to increase the overall interest of girls in STEM in The Bahamas.
FEM STEM Bahamas aims to prepare young women for such careers, through our initiatives and afterschool program, working side by side with our male counterparts, embodying our country's motto, of ONE people UNITED in Love and Service.
In an effort to actualize this mandate last year FEM STEM Bahamas introduced the STEM GEM Awards. The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize and reward high school girls who break stereotypes related to STEM. In its first edition, over fifty (50) girls throughout The Bahamas were nominated, and among those, eight (8) were chosen to receive the award. The selection committee consisted of a cross section of individuals within the STEM field.
As a continuation to last year’s successful outcome, the Second Annual STEM GEM #Award ceremony will be held on Tuesday 15th December 2020 at 7pm. Due to the current precautions, the ceremony will be held in a virtually to be live streamed on FEM STEM Bahamas facebook page.
We are pleased to announce that thirty plus girls throughout The Bahamas were nominated and 19 finalist were identified. Ultimately 8 were chosen by a selection committee who also consisted of a cross section of women and men in the STEM field.
These 8 STEM GEMS eight honorees are:
Sierra Rolle, Science Honoree of St. George’s High School
Jasmine Adamson, Engineering Honoree of Kingsway Academy
Blandine Cadet Science Honoree of C.V. Bethel High School
Kentia Milton, Mathematics Honoree of C.R. Walker High School
Katrell King, Science Honoree of Queens College
Alexia Dixon, Engineering Honoree of Kingsway Academy
Jada Ferguson, Science Honoree of Anatol Rodgers
Monica Justilien, Science Honoree of C.V. Bethel High School.
We want also recognize the finalist: Taria Roberts - Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy, Siarra Rolle - St. Georges High School, Shasta Saunders - C.R. Walker, Lunetra Etienne - Boost Academy, Alpha Munroe - R.M. Bailey High School, Da'sha Gray - Queen's College, Shavanti Young - C.R. Walker High, Bradiesha McDonald - Anatol Rodgers High, Stephanique Dean - Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy,Khanti Swain- Moore's Island All Age,Olivia Harris - C.V. Bethel High School.
The honorees received a gift bag from Caribbean Bottling Company, Customs Computers gift certificate, trophies and “STEM GEM” merchandise.
Additionally, the organization is elated to announce that we have officially launch our after-school program. We will begin a 4 week “Biofuels from Agricultural and Agri-Industrial Wastes” Workshop beginning Saturday January 23rd 2021. This workshop will to seek to engage and educate public and private high school girls’ ages 13 to 18 based in New Providence about green waste, biofuels and bioenergy, its benefits to the environment and how STEM plays an important role in the process.
The presence of STEM is mandated in the current ecosystem as it heavily contributes to the social, environmental and financial progress of The Bahamas and the world.
Fem STEM Bahamas organizer thanks sponsors Department of Family Affairs, BTC and Caribbean Bottling for helping to make this vision a reality. We invite the public to donate to this initiative using the Together with Aliv platform https://together.bealiv.com/campaign/71/sustainability-workshop.