The Hon. Tara Rivers, Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs welcomed more than 200 students, teachers and members of the public to the second Science, Technology, Engineering and  Math (STEM) Carib 2013 conference Thursday morning, 17 October, 2013 at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI).

By the time the three-day conference ended, 15 local and international speakers made presentations around this year’s theme; STEM, sustainability and survival. Presenters travelled from Canada, the USA and the Caribbean region including several experts in their field from the Cayman Islands.

The opening reception was held at UCCI’s Sir Vassel Johnson Hall on Wednesday October 16th where guests enjoyed the key note address by Trinidad and Tobago national, Dr. Camille Alleyne.  Dr. Alleyne is a world renowned leader in aerospace and space technology development.  She has held several technical management positions with NASA, and the United States Department of Defense.

The Minister recognized that Dr Alleyne was “an inspiration to all young people in the Cayman Islands, as she shows that, regardless of one’s race, gender or nationality, opportunities exist to succeed in STEM related fields of work”.

Minister Rivers further echoed Dr. Alleyne’s support and emphasis on STEM subjects in education, and universal concern of sustainability and survival: “As we move further into the 21st Century, Caribbean governments have become only too well aware that the interconnected subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are at the core of many big issues that face our countries, our region and our planet and the Cayman Islands has an opportunity to be part of the solution.”

UCCI President Roy Bodden and STEM Carib 2013 Conference Chair Dr. Bill Hrudey and committed organizers, partners, advocates and sponsors have developed this conference to acquaint and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

The STEM conference runs until Saturday, 19 October 2013.  There are speakers, demonstrations and free events for the entire family, scheduled at 5:00 pm, 18 October and Saturday, 19 October from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.  For more information, please visit the website at http://www.stem.ky/register.html

Photo credits and captions:

Photo credits:  courtesy of GIS Marketing & Communications

Photo 1 caption: (L to R) Minister Tara Rivers and key note speaker Dr. Camille Alleyne         Photo 2 credit:  (L to R) Dr. Bill Hrudey, Chair STEM Carib 2013 Conference, Minister Tara Rivers, Mr. Roy Bodden, JP, UCCI President, students and teachers at Sir Vassel Johnson Hall