A team of five students have left the Territory to compete in the FIRST Global Robotics Competition in Athens, Greece.

 Mr. Amani Brown, Ms. Micheala Jack, Mr. Kh’mouri Anthony, Ms. Judiah Case of the Elmore Stoutt High School and Mr. Elyon Jones of the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) accompanied by their coaches Mr. Andre Roberts and Mrs. Caren Cuffy-Jules, have embarked on an exciting journey to showcase their skills on the international stage.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Global Robotics Competition, launched in 2017, is an international event designed to inspire and promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education among students worldwide.

The completion was launched in 2017 and brings together high school-aged students from all over the world to compete in a friendly, collaborative environment, focusing on solving global challenges. The VI participated in the competition for the first time last year in Singapore.

Team BVI invested many hours in designing, building, and programming their robot, which they will present at this year’s event in Athens. Their participation not only highlights their technical abilities but also reflects the Territory's commitment to advancing STEAM education through hands-on learning experiences.

The Ministry of Education has been actively enhancing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education across the Territory. Last school year, a STEAM Innovations course was introduced for students in grades seven through nine, providing early exposure to critical skills in technology and engineering.

Additionally, a Coding and Robotics course is being offered for tenth grade students in secondary schools, aimed at equipping them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a technology-driven world.

Minister for Education, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro said earlier this year, the ministry hosted the summer initiative Robo-Mindset Camp, aimed at igniting a passion for robotics and coding among teen-aged students.

Honourable de Castro said, “The team representing the Territory were all participants of the summer camp who were selected after an extremely competitive process. These efforts are part of the broader strategy to foster a culture of innovation and creativity, ensuring that students in the Virgin Islands are well-prepared for future challenges and opportunities in the global economy.”

The Minister for Education expressed pride in the students' dedication and achievements, adding, “Our students have shown exceptional commitment to their preparation for the FIRST Global Robotics Competition. Their participation demonstrates the growth of STEAM education in our Territory and the incredible potential of our young people.  We are confident they will represent the Virgin Islands with excellence.”

The Ministry of Education extends best wishes to the team as they compete in Athens and encourages the community to support them as they showcase the talent and ingenuity of the Virgin Islands on the world stage.

Persons can learn more about the team members and their journey, the challenges they have faced, and the inspiration behind their project by viewing their interview on the Government’s Facebook page at BVIGovernment.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Photo 1&2: Photos of the team preparing to depart from the Terrence B. International Airport

(Photo credit: GIS/R. Frazer)