Students solve community challenges with coding

Primary and secondary students from Mayaro are creating a better future for their community built on computer-based coding. This innovative approach was on full display as the bpTT Coding Academy – Year One Graduation Ceremony was hosted at the Mayaro Resource Centre on November 9.

Launched in September 2023 and sponsored by energy company, bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT), training at the Coding Academy is delivered by Education Solution Specialists Limited (ESSL). The Academy has a current intake of 24 primary and 24 secondary school students, who explore computer-based coding, as well as science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), during Saturday classes.

Praising the students was Gamali Balkaran, Communications and External Affairs (C&EA) Advisor, bpTT, “I tried using AI to help write these remarks because I wanted to integrate technology into my experience. The results were satisfactory, but I still had to put in my own thoughts and ideas to make this speech unique and meaningful. That is what you all have done with your assignments and especially your Year One projects. You have used your foundation in technology and coding, and applied your own unique ideas and perspectives to create practical designs that can build a better future for Mayaro.”

Also sharing motivational messages at the graduation ceremony were Ryan Chaitram, Manager, C&EA and Anthony Mills, who shared a meaningful parent’s reflection. Capturing the imagination of the students was the feature speaker, Dr. Kwame Johnson, a healthcare technology executive, who explained to the students that encoded into their very DNA was the constant capacity for transformation and change. He explained to the graduates that they should never fear change but instead, embrace it and use it to make themselves and their communities greater.

Speaking on behalf of her peers was 14-year-old Sabella Paul of Rio Claro East Secondary School, “This graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of endless possibilities for us. The Academy started off like learning a new language, but we overcame those early challenges. As a result, we opened doors to the future and our approach to school and everyday life was changed by learning skills like teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking. I wanted to be a doctor, but this Academy changed my career goals, and now I want to become a software engineer. Our shared achievements, including our final project, has shown me that we can use future technology to make our communities better right now.” 

To demonstrate their readiness to transition into Year Two of the bpTT Coding Academy, the students were divided in groups to collaborate and develop coding-based solutions and working prototypes to directly address unique community-based needs. 

The models developed by the students provided solutions for critical issues in Mayaro, including a flood warning system, water supply supplementation, pollution mitigation, water quality assurance, renewable energy efficiency maximisation, road safety through an autonomous vehicle and an automated scheduling system for the optimisation of public transportation. 

The students proudly displayed their dynamic coding-based models to an impressed audience that included parents, teachers, their ESSL lecturers, and a leadership team from bpTT that included David Campbell, President; and Giselle Thompson, Vice-President, C&EA. 

Explaining the pride he felt, was 15-year-old St. Stephen’s College student, Nikoli Mills, who was awarded ‘Most Promising Student’: “This Academy brought together students with different backgrounds and unique perspectives. With a shared grounding in technology and coding, we were able to use those differences to make each other stronger and come up with innovative solutions. I haven’t decided what my ultimate career will be, but I am sure of one thing – I will be successful and because of this Academy, technology will be a major part of it.”

In addressing the future of the bpTT Coding Academy, Brendon Butts, Managing Director of ESSL, explained that In Year Two the students will experience widened exposure including script-based Python programming, robotics, as well as gaming and app design. He noted that as mandated by bpTT, a key component of any project they fund is creating sustainable outcomes. 

With this objective in mind, the programme will be extended to include training for primary and secondary school teachers to assist in the delivery of the programme. The ultimate objective is to make technology and computer-based coding an integrated part of the school curriculum, which will serve to empower all students to be ready for future opportunities.

According to Butts, “Mayaro is rich with untapped potential and this Academy has sparked the curiosity and hidden talents of our future leaders. The vision of bpTT enabled us to transform the vacation camp into a long-term opportunity for students to embrace a tech-driven future. The success of this programme is based on its sustainability, which has allowed us to integrate the teachers, principals and parents into this movement. Together, under the inspired innovation of these students, we are building a brighter future.”