The Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation’s (Grace & Staff) work in STEM education gained international exposure when Dhira-Mae Brown-Douglas, the Foundation’s STEM Administrator, represented Grace & Staff at the Micro:bit Educational Foundation’s 10th Anniversary celebrations in Cambridge, United Kingdom, last week.
Dhira-Mae joined educators, technology professionals and members of the global Micro:bit community at an anniversary dinner held at the Arm Headquarters on October 8, 2026, marking a decade of Micro:bit inspiring young people to explore coding and digital creativity. Her invitation recognised Grace & Staff’s contributions to the Micro:bit community and its ongoing efforts to expand access to technology education in Jamaica.
During the visit, Dhira-Mae participated in a panel discussion on Micro:bit’s global impact and future potential. Sharing the Jamaican experience, she highlighted how early exposure to technology can spark confidence and curiosity in children, as well as the importance of giving young people the encouragement and support they need to keep learning and creating.
From 10 devices to hundreds of learners
Grace & Staff’s Micro:bit journey began in 2023, when Dhira-Mae was first introduced to the technology at the British Council’s Future of Creativity Symposium in Kingston, Jamaica. An initial donation of 10 devices from the Micro: bit Educational Foundation helped Grace & Staff launch a programme that has since reached more than 400 students and dozens of teachers.
Since its launch, Grace & Staff has expanded its Micro:bit programme to include coding activities for primary school students, the Code Queens initiative for young girls, supported by Cuso International, and professional development opportunities for teachers. Grace & Staff also hosted a ‘Training of Trainers’ workshop in August 2026 in partnership with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the British Council in Jamaica and the Ministry of Education.
Bringing Jamaican Perspectives to the Global Stage
Dhira-Mae’s participation in Micro:bit’s anniversary celebrations in Cambridge brought Jamaican perspectives and experiences to global discussions on the future of digital education. It also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen connections with members of the global Micro:bit community.
As the reach of the Grace & Staff STEM programme continues to grow, key contributions from dedicated administrators like Dhira-Mae are driving real impact, equipping young people with the confidence and digital skills to shape their future.
