QC NY Alumni Association Leads 2023 Math Institute Summer Camp at QC, July 24th – July 28th, 2023

Brooklyn, New York: – July 22th, 2023 – For the sixth consecutive summer, the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. (“QCAANY”) will be hosting its Queen’s College Summer Math Institute (“QCSMI”) for one week beginning on July 24th 2023, and ending on July 28th, 2023 at Queen’s College in Georgetown, Guyana. The QCSMI will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with daily lunch and snacks provided at no cost to participating students.

The target group of this enrichment program is rising third and fourth form students from Queen’s College, Richard Ishmael Secondary School, St. Roses High School, South Ruimveldt Secondary School, Tutorial High School and President’s College.

The QCSMI aims to sustainably implement a developmentally–appropriate and culturally resonant middle school learning environment that engages Guyanese students in a cognitively rich mathematics learning experience that affirms and aligns with their cultural and social identities and places them securely on pathways to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) excellence. The program uses a developmentally appropriate approach that combines significant mathematical content with a setting that encourages a sense of discovery and excitement about math through problem solving and exploration.

The objectives of the QCSMI are to:

• Attract high school students in Georgetown Guyana to mathematical sciences and to motivate
  them to excel in the subject,
• Introduce high school students and their parents to the notion of mathematics as theory.
• Sensitize students and their parents to futures linked with mathematics, including but not
  limited to careers as mathematicians, math educators, research scientists, computer scientists,
  economists or business leaders.

A number of field trips are planned as complementary activities which are integral to the QCSMI experience. Among these are trips to Schlumberger Guyana Inc., a company operating mainly in the Electric Power and Oil and Gas sector, and Eugene F. Correia International Airport. The field trips are intended to demonstrate the use of mathematical principles in real-world scenarios. Additionally, local professionals in STEM-based disciplines will speak with students about STEM career options.

This year, the program will be led by mathematician, Dr. Cleveland Waddell, Queen’s College alumnus and former student of program founder Dr. Terrence Their efforts will be supported by Mr. John Campbell, President of QCAANY, Shifiera Surujballi and Dr. Karen Cole-Onaifo coordinators, Ms. Dianne Henry, Queen’s College teacher as well as other Queen’s College friends and supporters.

In addition to the QCSMI program, QCAANY has consistently supported science-oriented students and programs at the school. Since 2000, it has awarded through its Vernley Ward Bursary, scholarships to 1st and 2nd year students enrolled at UG who have distinguished themselves in the area of chemistry while at Queen’s College. QCAANY helped create the school’s first computer lab in the late 1990s and continues to collaborate with other alumni chapters to refurbish and upgrade equipment in the computer, physics and biology labs. More recently, QCAANY has focused on funding enrichment programs and social services to students. Student conferences have been held regularly since 2014. The conferences are supplemented throughout the year by a small and informal virtual student mentorship program. Efforts to help Queen’s College graduate rounded students have resulted in QCAANY supporting various Sports, Music and Arts programs at Queen’s College.

Broadly stated, the organization’s mission is to contribute significantly to the advancement and improvement of education in Guyana. For more information about Queen’s College Summer Math Institute, please contact QCAANY at nychapter@qcguyanaalumnny.org.