Antigua and Barbuda’s Top CSEC Student in Barbados on SPISE Program

D’Aundre Samuel

D’Aundre Samuel, a former student of St Joseph’s Academy, has been selected to participate in the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) in Barbados.

This program is designed for gifted Caribbean high school students between 16 and 18 years old who have a strong interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The objective of SPISE is to inspire and educate these students about potential careers in these fields through an intensive five-week residential summer program, which is similar to the MITES program at MIT.

Samuel, who achieved outstanding academic results with 21 grade ones and two grade twos in his 23 subjects, applied online and was accepted into the program.

During the six-week program in Bridgetown, he and other students from across the Caribbean will be trained to enhance the region’s economy by promoting technology-based entrepreneurship, ultimately improving the standard of living for the people.

SPISE aims to address the low number of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering. The program also aims to nurture the next generation of science, engineering, technology, and business leaders in the region.

The CSF believes that empowering this small group of elite students has the potential to produce the region’s future technology and business innovators.

The hope is that these efforts will lead to the creation of high-paying technology jobs and companies within the Caribbean, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic development.

The SPISE program takes place at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, where the CSF is headquartered. Significant partners of SPISE include the University of the West Indies – Cave Hill Campus and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

Students admitted to SPISE are among the top scholars in STEM in the region. They typically have exceptional academic records in CSEC STEM subjects, along with strong recommendations from their school principal, science, and math teachers.

As part of the program, students receive intense instruction in university-level calculus, physics, biochemistry, entrepreneurship, and Caribbean unity. They also engage in hands-on projects in computer programming, robotics, and renewable energy.

The curriculum emphasizes understanding and applying fundamental concepts rather than rote learning, teaching students to solve complex problems and work effectively in teams.

SPISE instructors include university professors from the Caribbean and the Diaspora, as well as professionals from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

The program concludes with student project competitions, during which teams present their projects and demonstrate their functionality to the public.