PRESS UPDATE –– Georgetown, Guyana – February 28, 2026: Sixteen secondary schools in Guyana brought science to life at the fourth edition of the Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix Competition, hosted by SBM Offshore Guyana at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on February 26. The competition is executed in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Teams competed in three categories: Acceleration, Advanced and Innovation & Creativity, designing and racing mousetrap-powered cars in pursuit of top honors and an opportunity to qualify for the international competition in Monaco. The first, second and third place winners for the Acceleration category are Abram Zuil Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary and Dora Secondary respectively. The first, second and third place winners for the Advanced category are St. Rose’s Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, St. Stanislaus Secondary respectively. For the Innovation and Creativity category, the winners in first, second and third place are Marian Academy, St. Rose’s Secondary and Abram Zuil Secondary, respectively.
The Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix serves as the local qualifier for the prestigious Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix, held annually in the Principality of Monaco. Created under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, teams will have the opportunity to represent Guyana abroad. The annual competition continues to grow in scale and impact, challenging students to apply principles of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in a fun, competitive and hands-on environment.
Delivering opening remarks, Country General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, encouraged students to see the competition as more than a race.
“Today is about more than speed or distance. It is about creativity, resilience and problem-solving. The same principles that power your mousetrap cars, precision, adjustment and innovation, are the same principles that drive progress in the real world. STEM continues to play a critical role in Guyana’s development, and each of you has the potential to be part of that future,” he underscored.
Allex Harte, one of the 2025 winners, shared his experience with this year’s participants, encouraging them to embrace the learning journey. “I was drawn to this competition because it gave me the opportunity to apply what I was learning in school, especially in Physics, in a practical way,” he posited.
Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Amerindian and Hinterland Development, Marti De Souza, reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to expanding access to STEM opportunities nationwide. He highlighted the importance of ensuring students across all regions are exposed to platforms that nurture innovation and practical learning. He also encouraged the attendees to participate in future editions of the competition, stating, “I want to encourage you to make use of the opportunity, to take up the challenge.”
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., underscored the value of partnerships between the private sector and government in empowering young people, reinforcing the long-term value of the competition in shaping critical skills that will be needed for everyday life.
He stated, “Every single thing that you are doing here, this is where it begins. The engineering, the geology, the innovation, the teamwork; all of that is helping to make you better but its also helping to make us better.”
The first, second and third-place winners of each category will be entered for consideration in the international competition in Monaco. They will also receive laboratory equipment to enhance their schools’ science facilities. Teams selected to compete internationally will also have the opportunity to represent Guyana abroad.
The Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix Competition continues to expand its reach, welcoming increased participation and demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for STEM across Guyana. The initiative forms part of SBM Offshore Guyana’s broader commitment to education, youth development and investing in local content for sustainable national growth.
