FortisTCI signs three-year partnership to boost STEM programs

FortisTCI has signed a three-year partnership agreement with The Math Lab, a local education and training facility, to deliver a series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) development programs for students.

FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes with Lekensay Missick, Founder of The Math Lab signing a three-year partnership to promote STEM education.

The company has committed $20,000 per annum for the next three years to support STEM programs, build science literacy and stimulate a passion for innovation.

The inaugural program for 2022 is the country’s first-ever robotics symposium scheduled for Saturday, January 29, in Providenciales. This event provides registered participants ages 13 to 17 with the opportunity to design, code, and build real robots under the direction of a robotics engineer and computer scientist from overseas.

Other programs slated for the year include the annual Easter Coding program, Speed Math Competitions, STEM Summer Program, a second Robotics Symposium, STEM after-school skills development program, and tutoring assistance program in Math and Science.

The planned format of these programs is set to align with COVID-19 safety protocols. The Math Lab was founded in 2019. FortisTCI has supported the STEM Summer Program for the past two years.

Commenting on the partnership, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated: “We are excited to serve as the exclusive sponsor of The Math Lab’s annual programs, which expose students to subjects that will progressively drive careers of the future. STEM encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and tech use.

“It is an important fixture in today’s modern world and complements the development of 21st-century skills. We are also pleased to help the facility achieve its vision of advancing STEM in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Commenting on the partnership, Founder of The Math Lab, LeKensay Missick, stated: "We are extremely honored and grateful to have FortisTCI serve as the exclusive corporate partner of The Math Lab. This partnership displays the importance of organizations coming together to fulfill a common goal, which is the educational and skill development of our students, especially in STEM.

“I am confident that The Math Lab will fulfill its goal of not only exposing, but also educating and training students in STEM, allowing them to become creators, not just consumers of the technology around them."