Registration is now open for the fourth annual Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix Competition 2026, according to a press statement from SBM Offshore on January 17.
The competition challenges secondary school students to create mousetrap race cars propelled by the original trigger mechanism on a mousetrap. The local qualifier will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, located on Homestretch Avenue, on February 26.
The event is coordinated by SBM Offshore Guyana, with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport.
Through SBM Offshore, Guyana was once again invited to participate in the international competition in Monaco. Students will compete in three dynamic categories: Acceleration, Advanced, and Innovation and Creativity, offering multiple avenues for technical excellence and original thinking.
SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong, said the company is proud to have initiated this competition locally, with the overwhelming support of both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, highlighting the value that competition brings.
“Competitions like this go beyond the classroom. They challenge students to think critically, solve real-world problems and apply theory in practical ways, skills that are essential for innovation, leadership and lifelong learning,” Cheong added.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, said, “Guyana’s development must be driven by productivity and innovation remains an essential ingredient for that recipe. The innovative mindset can be nurtured and this initiative aligns with this and empowers students to think outside the box and see themselves as problem solvers for a better Guyana.”
The Ministry of Education stated, “Initiatives such as the Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix play a critical role in nurturing our students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and innovation. By engaging learners in hands-on, problem-solving activities, we are not only strengthening classroom learning but also preparing young Guyanese with the skills, creativity and confidence needed for a rapidly evolving world.”
The Ministry said it remains committed to supporting partnerships that provide meaningful, practical learning opportunities for all students.
Registration closes on January 26, and interested students can sign up athttps://mousetraprace.sbm.gy/. Once registration closes, mousetraps will be distributed to participating schools by the Ministry of Education.
Winning comes with major rewards. The first-place winners of each of the three categories will receive $350,000 in science equipment, selected by the school, to strengthen their Science Departments. The top three performers in each category will also have their race videos submitted to Monaco for consideration in the international leg of the competition.
Should a Guyanese team advance, SBM Offshore Guyana will fully sponsor the team’s travel to Monaco, where students will also have the opportunity to experience the Monaco E- Prix should they win.
The second phase of the adventure includes a fully funded educational and cultural trip to Suriname, during which students selected for the Monaco leg will apply for their Schengen visa and participate in immersive learning experiences that broaden their global perspective.
Full support will also be provided for their travel to Monaco, where they will represent Guyana on the global stage.
In 2025, six students enjoyed an immersive visit to Suriname and a once-in-a-lifetime trip that spanned Nice, Monaco and the Netherlands, marking a significant reward for their creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
