…New education partnership begins at Ardenne High School, providing hands-on robotics, coding and engineering training to students across Jamaica.
Bryan Smart (3rd left), Chief Engineer, Robotics Club, Ardenne High School provides a demonstration of the skills of the robot built by club members during the launch of the UTech Kiwanis STEM Education Project on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Ardenne High School. Looking on from left are Lieutenant Governor Michael Powell, Division 23 Central Jamaica, Senator Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Governor Cynthia Blackman, District Governor, Kiwanis Eastern Canada and Caribbean and Dr. Jacqueline Pinto, Principal, Ardenne High School.
In a strategic move to strengthen Jamaica’s technical talent, the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) and the Kiwanis Club officially joined forces to launch the UTech Kiwanis STEM Education Project on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Ardenne High School. The initiative is designed to cultivate Jamaica’s next generation of innovators by bridging the resource gap in primary and high schools through hands-on technical training. Ardenne High School is the first high school to pioneer the project.
Project Overview
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, in providing a presentation of the project, shared that the programme primarily targets students in Grades 4 through 11, providing them with early exposure to high-demand disciplines including robotics, coding, and engineering. In its initial phase, the project aims to reach between 200 and 400 students through evening and weekend workshops held at the UTech, Jamaica Papine and Western campuses and partnering schools. Participants will utilize advanced learning tools such as VEXcode virtual simulations and XRP Robot Kits to build critical 21st-century problem-solving skills.
This collaboration will leverage UTech, Jamaica’s academic expertise and state-of-the-art laboratories alongside the Kiwanis Club’s extensive community mentorship network. Dr. Brown noted that this project “directly aligns with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 and our ambition to become a STEM Island.”
“Jamaica needs more STEM-ready students for the future workforce,” Dr. Brown emphasized, noting that early exposure is key to increasing interest in technology-driven careers. He also noted that the partnership will better prepare students to manage CSEC STEM subjects and improve digital literacy and problem-solving skills.
UTech, Jamaica alum and Kiwanis Club of North St. Andrew’s Lieutenant Governor Michael Powell, reflected on the origins of the initiative, noting that “when you get an idea, when you have inspiration and you see it playing out,” it becomes especially meaningful. He explained that the concept emerged about a year ago after a discussion with Dr. Kevin Brown, who “floated an idea that we had to introduce STEM at all levels in schools across Jamaica,” an idea Powell said “aligned perfectly” with his own aspirations and background as a trained teacher.
Moreover, he emphasized the importance of understanding in STEM education, particularly in mathematics. “I tell people math and English are twins… once you have a comprehension, then you can work out both of them,” he said, adding that “a lot of the reason for the problem with math is just a fear.”
He also clarified that while the initiative focuses on STEM, it does not exclude creativity. “There is also the embrace [of] STEAM,” he said, ensuring that students can “express [themselves]… in ways that embrace more the artistic side of things.” He underscored the programme’s potential, noting that “this is a programme that we expect to be widespread… today is just the pilot.”
Government Support
Speaking at the launch, Senator the Honourable Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, shared, “when the invitation was extended… I did not hesitate,” as programmes like this “align quite appropriately with the strategic thrust of the government.”
He explained that STEM is central to Jamaica’s development, stating that if Jamaica is to develop a workforce to attain Vision 2030, then “STEM will have to be an important part of that equation.” Moreover, he stressed the need for deliberate action, adding that “we must also be more intentional… in relation to pushing and planning for the mainstreaming of STEM.”
Underscoring the value of partnerships, Senator Morgan noted that the scale of education reform requires collective effort from the Government and the public and private sectors. Additionally, he outlined ongoing government efforts to strengthen STEM delivery, including scholarships for teacher training and investments in infrastructure. Senator Morgan commended the collaboration, noting that these initiatives at the secondary level are critical as a “feeder” for higher education to build Jamaica’s future workforce.
Keynote Address
Governor Cynthia Blackman, District Governor, Kiwanis Eastern Canada and Caribbean, in her keynote address, emphasized that Kiwanis remains “focused on youth development and improving the world, one child and one community at a time.”
Against this backdrop, she described the initiative as more than symbolic, stating, “this is not just a launch, it is a signal that we understand what the future demands, a signal that we are prepared to act and that we are choosing to invest in something that will outlive all of us. We are choosing to invest in our young people.” She also underscored that STEM represents more than academic disciplines, explaining that “we’re talking about opportunity, access and unlocking potential that already exists in every child.”
Governor Blackman pointed to the strength of the partnership with University of Technology Jamaica, noting that when academic excellence is combined with community reach, then it creates impact. She added that the programme is “not theoretical… it is practical, intentional, and timely,” particularly in addressing gaps where students “have the curiosity, but not the exposure… the talent, but not the opportunity.”
Governor Blackman emphasized the initiative’s long-term vision, describing it as “the pipeline that starts with the child in primary school, then it builds the confidence in high school, and then that leader them into institutions like UTech and ultimately into careers that will drive Jamaica’s future.” However, she also challenged stakeholders to think beyond the pilot phase: “We must expand beyond the one campus, we must reach beyond one set of schools and we must ensure that a child, or every child in rural Jamaica has the same opportunity as a child right here in Kingston.”
Principal of Ardenne High School, Dr. Jacqueline Pinto, underscored the institution’s longstanding commitment to innovation, noting that “at Ardenne, we embrace STEM.” Importantly, this philosophy extends to a broader embrace of STEAM, integrating the arts alongside science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to foster creativity and critical thinking. Building on this point, she explained that the school makes deliberate efforts to ensure that students are adequately equipped to meet academic demands.
Dr. Pinto also highlighted the importance of a well-rounded curriculum in fostering student growth. “We will always encourage our students to spread in terms of their curriculum development,” she said, emphasizing the value of breadth in academic exposure. In further outlining the school’s structured approach, she noted, “While we have four compulsory subjects, Math, English, we have an IT based one and we also have a science one. So, every child entering grade 10 must carry those four core subjects.”
Dr. Pinto reaffirmed the school’s philosophy, stating, “That’s the exposure that we give our students because we strongly believe that they’re the future and they’re the ones who will impact us and make changes that are necessary.”
Dimitri William Burgess, President, Key Club, Ardenne High School, shared, “today marks a meaningful step toward empowering students though STEM education, equipping them with the skills needed for innovation in their future careers.” He added that this collaboration between UTech, Jamaica, Ardenne High School, and the Kiwanis organization is integral in “driving national development and technological advancement.”
Seated from left are Lieutenant Governor Michael Powell, Division 23 Central Jamaica, Senator Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Governor Cynthia Blackman, District Governor, Kiwanis Eastern Canada and Caribbean and Dr. Jacqueline Pinto, Principal, Ardenne High School during the launch of the UTech Kiwanis STEM Education Project on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Ardenne High School. With Ardenne High School being the first to pioneer the project, the imitative will provide hands-on training in robotics, coding and engineering for students across Jamaica. Sharing in the moment are Ms. Jacqueline Pinnock (left), Head, Science Department, Ardenne High School and Mr. Lauren Murray (3rd row second right), Club Advisor, Ardenne High Robotics Club and Ardenne High school students.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm
