PROJECT TEAM WORKS
Igniting Jamaican innovation
Enabling Jamaican Workforce Upgrades Sparking National Development via STEM Education
About the institutions Founded in 1795, Jamaica College is a prominent high school in Jamaica with a long and distinguished record of service to the country. Its graduates include leaders in all sectors of Jamaican society. http://jamaicacollege.org/ Since 1990 the Jamaica College Alumni Association (USA) Inc (JCAA) has supported educational programs in Jamaica.. The Association is a registered IRS and NYS tax exempt charity under Section 501 c (3) of the tax code. Contributions to its programs are tax deductible. The Golden Griffin Society is a JCAA subsidiary responsible for STEM programming. This is a high level overview only. For more information on Project TEAM WORKS contact the Golden Griffin Society: Tel: 516.524.0671 Email: goldengriffin@jcobany.org Or visit our website: www.goldgrif.org
JCAA commissioned a 2008 study of Jamaican education which revealed:
* Girls greatly outperformed boys in standardized tests...by as much as 40% * Many boys were disengaged at school and failing particularly in maths and science * Research indicated that boys tended to learn better by DOING rather than rote instruction * While performing better than boys, girls were significantly behind their peers in developed nations * Research in advanced countries indicated that STEM applications engaged students exceptionally well * Jamaica's education system has a low technology base..hampering development of 21st century skills
WE DECIDED TO PLAY A ROLE IN SOLVING SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS
To generate solutions for these issues JCAA formed The Golden Griffin Society - dedicated to creating projects for JC and national STEM development. The Mission: Supporting Jamaica's Vision 2030 development plan.
OUR METHODOLOGY Implement & prove innovative STEM projects @ JC
Provide technical & financial assistance to similar projects at schools nationwide
MISSION
Upgrading the workforce with 21st Century skills Sparking increased productivity, new industries & technology competence
WHY START WITH ROBOTICS? Kids find robotics VERY exciting and it drives competence in critical STEM skills SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
RAPID PROTOTYPING SOLUTION TESTING & ITERATION
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
CRITICAL THINKING & TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
After months of research FIRST was identified as an ideal robotics solution for Jamaica
Research by Brandeis University on FIRST participants compared with other academically similar students not involved in robotics indicated FIRST students were: • More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering • More than 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship or internship while in college • Significantly more likely to achieve advanced degrees • About 3 times more likely to pursue a career in science, technology or engineering • Significantly more likely to volunteer in their communities
CONCLUSION: FIRST programs produce skilled professionals more likely to assist national development than academically similar students. This is the outcome we seek in Jamaica
Phase 1 started in 2009. The Golden Griffin Society sparked a revolution in Jamaican education with a full scale Robotics Program at Jamaica College
STUDENTS BUILDING A ROBOT FOR COMPETITION
JC ROBOTICS LAB
In 2009 we entered JC in FIRST Tech Challenge despite robotics being totally unfamiliar to Jamaican HS education
Within 7 years JC Robotics beat the best in NY/NJ/CT and advanced to 2 World Robotics Championships- Amazing!
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JC student outcomes:
Massive excitement for technology and product creation Tech skills in software coding, construction design Electronic engineering, prototyping & technical documentation Team building skills invaluable for business development Leadership, confidence and communication skills enhanced College scholarships gained as a direct result of participation
JC award winning robot in FIRST Tech Challenge action
JC Robotics has sought to migrate its knowledge throughout Jamaica
PRIMARY SCHOOL DEMO
HIGH SCHOOL DEMO
EDUCATING THE MINISTER
PROJECT TEAM WORKS PHASE 1 OUTLAY OVER 7 YEARS: ~$150,000* *Spend reflects entire JC community. 90% on foreign travel costs to robotics competitions
Now that Golden Griffin Society & JC have proved our ability to develop and execute successful STEM programs...
How do we scale up to taking our STEM programs nationwide?
Project TEAM WORKS TECHNOLOGY - Robotics * Software * 3-D Design & Build * Science Competitions ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Business Incubator * Stock Market & Business Competitions ADVANCED Science Applications - * Info Tech * Mechatronics * Product Development MATHEMATICS related programs to boost 21st century numeracy
Project TEAM WORKS Execution Model:
* Project Implementation Team established with expert professionals •
* Competent in project finance, management and STEM applications * Partnerships with foundations, private industry and multilateral organizations •
* Project to be positioned as a "National Model" to get maximum support
TEAM WORKS PHASE 2 6 Year capital campaign in the USA targeting $2 Million in development funding
Key elements of TEAM WORKS Phase 2A TIMELINE: 2017 – 2018 • 12 high school"startup" Robotics Labs equipped, technical and management capacity in place • 2 primary school STEM Labs operating and model perfected – Ready for replication • National high school STEM model lab at JC expanded • Avg. 70 students/school engaged in some aspect of Robotics – 1000/year total • Acquisition of basic robotics skills: software coding, construction design, prototyping etc • Tremendous excitement building in the school communities for science applications • Groundwork laid for Jamaica National Robotics Competition leveraging FIRST solutions PHASE 2A COST: $210,000
A Jamaica National Robotics Competition is critical - In association with FIRST
Impact of Jamaica National Robotics & STEM Competitions • Aimed at creating 21st Century tech skills and promoting a culture of appreciation of science • Robotics competition will be available without foreign travel & subsistence expenses • Exciting competition format will mimic that of sporting events like Champs & Manning Cup • High school rivalries will fuel school, community, business and national interest • Primary school competitions will implant excitement for science applications & tech skills very early • Competitions to be inclusive with special attention given to enabling disadvantaged schools • Potential to revolutionize Jamaican STEM education and impact national development efforts
Jamaica Robotics Champs: Powered by WhizzyLabs™ & FIRST WhizzyLabs™ are dedicated STEM laboratories at Primary and Secondary schools. Our programs are competition based, so startup WhizzyLabs support the high tempo build of programmable machines by students
• Primary Level: Labs equipped for FIRST Lego League Competition • Secondary Level: Labs equipped for FIRST Tech Challenge • Both competitions comprise the Jamaica National Robotics Championships
DEPLOYMENT MODEL
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Participating schools will provide a suitable, secure room for their WhizzyLab TEAM Works will supply equipment (where applicable) and tech support for startup operations Equipment will be prioritized for schools facing significant resource deficits Well supported schools may purchase the approved equipment from suppliers Schools prepared for Jamaica Robotics Champs with identical requirements to similar FIRST competitions in USA
WhizzyLabs™ Team Equipment & Jamaica Robotics Champs Infrastructure Secondary Level: FIRST Tech Challenge
Primary Level: FIRST Lego League
Long Term Outcomes: VISION 2030 • 72 secondary school Robotics/STEM labs equipped – hosting 10,000 students/year • Microsoft IT Academy in 20 high schools – Students set on path to business applications software certification • Mini software business incubators in 20 high schools as after-school activity • 150-200 primary level schools with Lego-based STEM programs – hosting 25,000 students/year • Greatly expanded National Robotics Competition with over 150 teams • 30,000 graduates of our STEM programs with fundamental 21st century technology skills • A business start-up culture focused on problem-solving via critical thinking & technology solutions • More refined workforce contributing to high value adding tech businesses - attracting foreign capital • More developed national science culture with its baseline being inter-school STEM competitions
PROJECT TEAM WORKS
SOLUTION PROVIDERS - PARTNERS – STAKEHOLDERS*
* Not all partners & stakeholders yet fully confirmed
THANKÂ YOU!