**Additional STEAM programs are in our implementation funnel but are not listed as their impact may not be systemic
OUR JOURNEY & MILESTONES
2009 -2010
Genesis
Concerned by the stagnation evident in Jamaica's education system our team decided on a strategy of positive disruption. It was determined that a high-impact experiential learning model may provide the required disruptive effect to counter the stasis. Our solution was world class competitive robotics.
We enabled the establishment of a Robotics Club at Jamaica College and immediately financed startup, along with professional engineering support. We then negotiated entry of JC Robotics in FIRST Tech Challenge North East Regionals in NYC, March 2010. No other foreign team has participated in any FIRST Regional USA tournament before or after JC's entry.
In 10 years of USA competition JC Robotics won numerous awards in regional competitions and qualified for 4 World Championships - to wide acclaim and amidst many historic achievements. Their success provided fuel for all the developments to come.
2018-2019
Foundation
Our team negotiated with FIRST 2017-2018 and in a winning bid secured the franchise rights to run ALL their programs in Jamaica - from Pre-K through to 18 y.o. students. This represents an enormous breakthrough towards providing world class STEAM education countrywide.
We were required to appoint competent leadership for FIRST Jamaica - which task was accomplished. We then negotiated the support and financial backing of the Ministry of Education for the inaugural Jamaica National Robotics Championship and on-boarded 8 of the 15 schools participating in the tournament. The prospect for success of the inaugural Championship was thereby enhanced - even as substantial work by the on-the-ground leadership team was critical to the positive outcome.
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The FIRST platform is the foundation of our multi-dimensional STEAM initiative currently encompassing ~50 schools in Jamaica. With additional STEAM programs in the pipeline, the plan is to engage over 200 schools with our experiential learning model spanning a range of critical, modern technologies.
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With the FIRST platform established, Jamaica made solid steps towards generating a substantial "maker class" in the years ahead. We are focused on achieving that goal.
2021-2022
Expansion
While our momentum was slowed by the global pandemic, the relative inactivity allowed for greater consideration regarding the optimal approach to our mission.
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It became clear that a dedicated STEAM education not-for-profit corporation staffed by experienced professionals represented the best chance for mission accomplishment. So STEAM Ahead Jamaica was birthed in 2022 as a baseline asset for the country's human capital upgrade in technology.
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Our "Innovation Elevator" is a matrix of multiple, interlocking STEAM programs from Kindergarten to the Workforce. It provides a roadmap of programs aimed at achieving the goals we've set. Our near-term target is the upgrade of 30,000 students with modern work-ready skills by 2030. AKA 30by30. The target supports the Jamaican government's development targets aimed at 2030.
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We look forward to the challenge and opportunity to help upskill many thousands of students and positively impacting Jamaica's development vector.
