McGill University, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and the U.S. State Department today (Dec 5) teamed up to host a full day of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities and presentations to honour the 70th anniversary of McGill's acclaimed Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados and promote STEAM education to students in Barbados.
The event, designed to celebrate seven decades of STEAM in the Caribbean, featured inspiring presentations and workshops hosted by respected scientists; McGill students; U.S. government officials; and prominent STEAM leaders such as Dr. Frederic Bertley, the President and CEO of COSI.
The Bellairs Research Institute, a McGill Facility, was founded in 1954 to provide a place in which professors and students might develop a scholarly interest in the tropics. Since then, the Institute has fostered impactful marine, biological, and technological research and hosted students and scientists from around the world for field courses, workshops, and research projects.
"We are proud of the vital role Bellairs plays as a hub for both education and sustainability research," said Professor R. Bruce Lennox, Dean of Science at McGill University. "We are pleased to collaborate with Dr. Bertley, a distinguished McGill graduate and a valued member of the Board of Directors of McGill's Redpath Museum. His unique position as a bridge to COSI enables this important collaboration, and we're eager to see how our collective efforts in this outreach initiative will benefit and engage the community.
"Together, COSI, McGill, and the U.S. State Department are steadfast in the belief that a better world can only be achieved through an increasingly STEM-literate society - not just in the U.S. and Canada but across the globe, including the Caribbean," said Dr. Bertley. "With this vision at the forefront, we are joining forces in Barbados to inspire young minds throughout the region to pursue future careers in science and technology."
According to Donald Maynard of the U.S. State Department, "The U.S. Embassy is proud to collaborate with COSI to distribute Learning Lunchbox science kits and encourage the next generation of STEM leaders in the Eastern Caribbean."
To continue promoting STEAM education throughout the island, the event saw the distribution of 400 COSI Learning Lunchboxes - which include STEAM activities and experiments - to Barbadian students from several local schools.
The COSI Learning Lunchboxes work to increase diversity and equity in STEAM and inspire youth towards related pathways, while providing parents and educators with a framework to increase engagement and accelerate learning. COSI has already distributed over 400,000 Learning Lunchboxes in more than 40 states and seven countries in partnership with federal agencies such as NASA, the White House, the U.S. State Department, and more.
"Genius is not confined to any one specific race, religion, gender, or economic class," concludes Dr. Bertley. "In order to ignite curiosity in STEAM, we must create a more STEAM-literate society, and that starts with inspiring young people anywhere and everywhere."
About McGill University
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada's top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
About COSI
COSI, the "#1 Science Museum in the Country" as voted by USA Today's 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio with all things science for 60 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics and delivering our experiential, "hands-on fun" brand of learning. COSI has been awarded nine Emmys for its effective science communication television and video productions impacting science literacy for people of all ages. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools, and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our regional and national community, engaging millions of people annually through onsite, offsite, and online experiences. Learn more at www.cosi.org.
About the U.S. Department of State
The Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency within the Executive Branch and the lead institution conducting American diplomacy. Established by Congress in 1789 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Department is the oldest and most senior executive agency of the U.S. government. The Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor and implements the President's foreign policies worldwide through the Department and its employees.
