Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers in the Bahamas
Written by Areli Rodriguez, EWH's Communications & Development Intern
One of EWH’s goals is to help create opportunities for people around the world to receive an education in not only biomedical engineering, but STEM in general. Every country, regardless of economic standing, can benefit from a generation of scientists and engineers that can lead the way in innovation and tackle the problems our world currently faces. However, developing nations stand to gain the most out of improved STEM education. Not only would STEM create job opportunities, but it could also help reduce inequality and dependence on other countries, improve healthcare, and help citizens solve the unique problems their countries face.
Although EWH works with local partners to create sustainable training programs around the world, these programs unfortunately cannot meet all needs in global STEM education. For this reason, when the founders of Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA) – an organization that raises STEM awareness in the Bahamas and provides opportunities for Bahamian students to become actively engaged in STEM – approached EWH in 2015, we were delighted to support them with kits for a summer engineering camp they hosted for children in the Bahamas.
Students at the 2015 BETA camp work with a kit provided by EWH
Students at the 2015 BETA camp work on a circuit board
Personal experiences with healthcare were an eye-opener for one of the founders of BETA. She realized that the Bahamas lacked the proper medical technology and diagnostics to save lives effectively. These experiences motivated her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, which she now uses to teach children at the BETA camp. She is not alone. There are many people around the world who see the issues in their countries and are motivated to solve them and give back to their communities by educating the next generation.
EWH is proud to support them.
See more about BETA camp’s work:
BETA 2016 - https://youtu.be/fl6UwGfApKA
BETA 2015 - https://youtu.be/AKHoHY-L2pw