A joint venture project between The Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI-UK), Future Think and The British Foundation of the University of the West Indies (BFUWI) equipping Caribbean families in the UK for a fast changing world of work.
Our 2024 – 2025 Programme
NB Navigation to other sections are at the base of the following document.
Caribbean STEM Coaching Club 2024
“People Helping People” Problem Solving and Signposting Discussions for 11-16 Year Olds and Their Parents
Inviting-Expressions-of-Interest
Who We Are
We are three Caribbean led Non-Profits – The Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology & Innovation (UK), Future Think and The British Foundation of the University of the West Indies – that joined forces in 2015 to raise the STEM achievement levels of Caribbean families in the UK. This is necessary. The STEM achievement levels of our Caribbean communities have long been worryingly low. Yet a strong STEM foundation is critical to opening doors to well paid jobs in our fast changing, technologically sophisticated, 21st century jobs marketplace. Given the shifts in our economy in the wake of COVID-19, strong digital skills in particular are now more important than ever.
What We Do
We help our students academically; but our ambitions are in fact far greater. We:
1. Inspire through opening eyes to the exciting opportunities available to those with the right skills and mindset;
2. Actively seek to ignite a passion for STEM, and build the emotional resilience, motivation, and confidence needed to succeed;
3. Equip students to learn how to learn – a key skill needed in the workplace of today and tomorrow which is not universally taught in our education system.
4. Help students to develop into independent, collaborative, life-long learners.
Since research shows clearly that parents play a crucial role in children’s academic achievement and career choices, we work extensively with and through parents, and run tightly facilitated, “Parents Helping Parents” problem-solving discussions. The close involvement of parents also helps us to manage safeguarding considerations.
We draw on the expertise of STEM specialist teachers, high-achieving STEM professionals, a qualified and experienced parenting educator, and a network of experienced parents in order to shape and deliver our programs. At the same time, we believe that we are all on a learning journey together. Everyone has valuable insights and expertise to share. and we encourage all parents and students in the Club to connect, share and learn from one another.
We work in line with Data Protection and Safeguarding policies.
Feedback from Previous Years’ Parents
“Excellent – amazing opportunity for our children to be taught by high quality teachers. Parenting classes were invaluable – I highly recommend it”
“Excellent. The most outstanding part of the Club for me is that you get to meet other parents going through similar challenges and to feel that we are working through challenges as a group and supporting our children together. I am blown away by the fact that there are people in the community who give up their time for free to support our children. It is fantastic. People need to know that there is support out there in the community and we don’t need to struggle on our own. “
“Thanks so much for all your efforts, research and giving of time for the STEM Club. As usual, it was fantastic on Saturday. We could have gone on for ages! It’s wonderful learning from other parents and also realising you’re ‘not the only one’. I am inspired, more relaxed and more hopeful ““I value the way the programme focuses on jobs and skills of the future, and opens eyes to new and varied possibilities emerging out there, especially in STEM.”
“The discussions opened our eyes to new and different realities and perspectives that are absolutely relevant nowadays. It was also good to be learning in the parenting discussion groups at the same time that my son was learning in the master class. It is great modelling and reinforces the fact that we are all on a learning journey and we all need to be lifelong learners.“
“I also value the way the programme allows kids to be in an environment with other kids who look just like them, all trying hard to succeed. “
“The teacher gave her work that stretched her so this made her feel very capable and she was ahead of the game when they started to do these same concepts in class later on. So all of this boosted her confidence. “
“[ ] has become more confident and focused, definitely more comfortable with Maths. He seems to understand now that it is just a matter of practice and hard work . He came away from the Club with the message that he can achieve as much as he wants to achieve, once he is willing to do what it takes to achieve. “
“..the fact that he was able to help the other children in the master class made him feel more confident. The teacher was also covering topics he was learning in school so he was able to ask relevant questions. He would normally play football on a Saturday morning but he was happy to come to the master classes – he enjoyed them. “
“[ ] is more serious about his work now and will revise unprompted. He will attempt all Maths questions now whereas before , he would be quick to say say “I can’t”.
Achievements
Please see here:
Fundraising
Register using the forms below:
