Sixteen Secondary Schools, including four from Guyana’s hinterland regions, gathered with a buzz of excitement today, February 26, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the fourth annual Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix hosted by SBM Offshore Guyana.
The competition, held in partnership with Guyana’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, aims to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and prepare students for careers in emerging sectors such as oil and gas.
Participating schools include Abram Zuil Secondary, Diamond Secondary, Dora Secondary, Friendship Secondary, Good Hope Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, Marian Academy, Queen’s College, Saint Joseph High, School of the Nations, Saint Stanislaus College, and St. Rose’s High.
The schools participating from Guyana’s hinterland regions are Kwebana Secondary and Santa Rosa Secondary schools from Region One (Barima-Waini), Paramakatoi Secondary from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nappi Secondary from Region Nine ( Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)
This morning, the atmosphere inside the Sports Hall was charged with excitement as students fine-tuned their model cars and supporters cheered from the sidelines. The event brings together young innovators who design and build cars powered by mousetraps to test creativity and scientific principles.
In his address, General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, noted the growing importance of technical skills.
“As STEM plays an increasingly central role in Guyana’s growth, especially with emerging industries like oil and gas, the demand for innovators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers continues to rise. The experience gained here mirrors how solutions are developed in modern industries. Each of you is taking an important step in that direction,” he said.
He also explained the origin of the competition. “For those joining us for the first time, this competition began in Monaco as a creative way to make science and engineering engaging for secondary school students. Using a simple mousetrap, participants design and build model cars that test creativity, problem-solving, and scientific principles.”
Martin Cheong added, “It is not just about crossing a finish line; it is about confidence, curiosity, and determination.”
Beyond trophies and medals, SBM Offshore Guyana will provide first-place winners in each category with equipment to strengthen their school science laboratories. Winning teams will also participate in a short educational trip to Suriname while applying for their Schengen visa, before advancing to the international finals in Monaco in April to represent Guyana.
In 2025, over 600 students converged at the National Sports Hall for the third edition of the event.
Last year, Paramakatoi Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, and St. Rose’s High emerged as champions of the competition.
Paramakatoi Secondary secured first place in the innovation and creativity category.
