International Gaming Technology's (IGT's) After-School Advantage (ASA) centers collaborated with the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, to organize a STEM Talk and interactive lab tour event. The event aimed to inspire students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and careers. The event was attended by 33 IGT beneficiaries from various organizations in Kingston and Spanish Town. The students showed a keen interest in the presentations given by PhD candidates from the chemistry (Crystal Thompson), computing (Alton Bodley), and physics (Chantal Simmonds) departments. The students were also taken on an interactive lab tour of the Natural Products Institute (NPI) and the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), where they witnessed practical science research. The event aimed to make STEM education accessible to the students and motivate them to pursue STEM careers in the future.

Dr Andre Coy, the coordinator of the event, was pleased to host the students and emphasized the importance of STEM for national development. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunities available at the UWI’s Faculty of Science and Technology and make their contribution to national development. The General Manager of IGT Jamaica, Debbie Green, described the collaborative effort as a timely and positive response to boost STEM learning. She expressed her pleasure that the faculty's vision aligned with IGT's ASA Programme in supporting the cause of bridging the digital divide and making STEM education accessible through outreach activities. Overall, the event was a successful initiative to inspire and motivate young students to pursue STEM education and careers.

Photo caption (L-R): Tracey-Ann Davis, Mustard Seed Communities - Mary's Child Home; DebraWillis, IGT's Dispatch Administrator: Dr. Andre Coy, Associate Dean, UWI's Faculty of Science and Technology; Nakesha Dillion, Mustard Seed Communities - Dare to Care Centre; Debbie Green' Generalmanager, IGT Jamaica, and Valerie Wilson, Counsellor at the Women's Centre of JamaicaFoundation, smile for a group photo.

Follow the Faculty of Science and Technology on Instagram @uwimona_fst and on Facebook at @ The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona. For enquiries, WhatsApp us at 1-876 552-4691, call us at 1-876-977-1785 or email us at fst@uwimona.edu.jm.