STEM professionals speak to local students
Cayman Enterprise City entrepreneurs with students from John Gray High School
(CNS Local Life): Three science, engineering and technology professionals operating from Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) shared their success and career path stories with local students at the recent Ambassador’s Club workshop at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), part of the STEM Carib Conference. CEC has been a major sponsor of the conference and the Ambassador’s programmes for the past three years, part of an ongoing partnership with UCCI to interest young Caymanians in pursuing STEM-related careers.
Students from John Gray High School, Clifton Hunter, St Ignatius, Cayman Prep, Cayman Academy and Triple C heard presentations from Dr David Chestnut, a Caymanian PhD scientist from Fabrilink SEZC; Suzanne Klein, CEO of WriteSteps SEZC; and Richard Abbott, president of Abbott Aerospace SEZC Ltd.
The objective of the workshop was to inspire the students to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) studies and career paths, with the speakers serving as role models for what is possible in the Cayman Islands.
Dr Chestnut, an expert in lasers and fibre optics, is a senior engineer with Fabrilink, a subsidiary of Fabrinet, which specialises in precision optical, electro-optical, electronic and electro-mechanical process technologies for high-mix, any-volume, high-tech contract manufacturing.
Klein, a former primary school teacher from Michigan, realised a few years ago that as a “generalist” she needed tools to help her do her job better. To solve the problem, she developed WriteSteps, which provides an online learning platform that offers a classroom-friendly series of programmes that enable teachers and students to take advantage of emerging video and digital technology.
Richard Abbot spoke to the students about the world’s aerospace industry and his various experiences within it. A mechanical engineer, who originally was involved with the music industry, he has worked with clients in the UK, Europe and North America on numerous civil and military aircraft development, modification and weight-optimisation projects.
Category: Education
