Eight remarkable young minds, who shone in the recently concluded Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix competition, embarked on an educational journey to Houston, Texas – the energy capital of the world. Sponsored by SBM Offshore Guyana, the five-day trip offered these budding innovators a unique opportunity to explore some of the leading educational and industry facilities in Houston.
The winners of the second Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix, held in February 2024, are Allex Harte, Bhumesha Persaud, Christopher Persaud, Jaden Evans, Jit Shamar, Nicholas Sankar, Saabirah Khan, and Zaki Ishmael. Their success in the competition earned their respective schools–St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High and Abram Zuil Secondary–new equipment to enhance their STEM/Physics laboratories.
During their visit, the students toured renowned institutions, including the Space Center Houston, Rice University, the Lone Star Flight Museum, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They also visited SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil’s facilities, gaining valuable insights into the energy sector.
The competition, which encourages high school students to design mousetrap-powered model race cars, is more than a test of knowledge; it’s a confidence-builder and a springboard into technical fields. Each student developed an early interest in these fields, which played a crucial role in their success at the competition.
Jit Shamar of St. Stanislaus College highlighted that, “During the visit to SBM Offshore, I learned about the design and engineering of floating production systems for offshore oil and gas fields. At ExxonMobil, I gained insights into the technology and processes involved in oil and gas extraction, refining, and production. This experience gave me a clearer understanding of the industry and the path needed to pursue a career in it.”
Bhumesha Persaud of Abram Zuil Secondary noted her admiration for SBM Offshore’s innovations. “I was particularly impressed by SBM Offshore’s advancements in the oil industry. The visit deepened my understanding of the extraction, drilling, and purification processes for oil and natural gas.”
The students were also captivated by how STEM intersects with diverse fields. Allex Hart of St. Roses High found the Space Center tour particularly enlightening, “Seeing the applications of STEM in space exploration—from rocket design to mission control—was incredible. It showed how complex systems and cutting-edge technology are used to achieve space missions.”
Christopher Persaud, also from St. Roses High, was inspired by the collaboration between engineers and scientists, saying, “Witnessing how they push the boundaries of human knowledge was truly inspiring. The Lone Star Flight Museum and the George R. Brown School of Engineering demonstrated how engineering education prepares students to solve real-world problems.”
The Mousetrap Car Grand Prix was more than a competition; it was a lesson in teamwork and problem-solving. Christopher reflected on the experience, stating, “Winning first place in the acceleration category was a proud moment for me. It demonstrated how our understanding of physics could maximize the potential energy of the mousetrap for optimal performance.”
Saabirah Khan of Abram Zuil Secondary who echoed this sentiment, noted, “It pushed me to think critically about physics and engineering concepts like friction and energy transfer. The support from SBM Offshore is crucial for our development, providing opportunities that help us stay ahead in STEM fields.”
SBM Offshore Guyana’s initiatives, including the educational tour and the Mousetrap Car Grand Prix, play a significant role in nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals. By offering practical knowledge and industry insights, SBM Offshore Guyana is not only fostering innovation but also ensuring that the next generation is well-prepared to address future challenges.
