BVI robotics team off to Panama for Global Challenge
Five young Virgin Islanders are representing the Territory at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge in Panama City, marking the Virgin Islands’ third consecutive appearance at the international robotics event.
The team — Eleazar Brooks, Keyara Smith, Jayron Gibson, Judiah Case and Denae Scatliffe-Chalwell — will compete with their robot, Artemis, from October 29 to November 1. The event gathers students from more than 190 countries under the theme “Eco-Equilibrium”, challenging teams to design solutions to environmental problems.
Since debuting in Singapore in 2023 and competing in Greece in 2024, Team BVI has improved its global ranking from 143rd out of 191 to 111th out of 180.
Education Minister Sharie deCastro praised the students’ achievements and highlighted the importance of robotics education in the Territory. “Robotics is far more than the assembly of parts or the writing of code. It is the cultivation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators who are prepared to design, adapt, and lead,” she stated.
She added that by integrating robotics into the national curriculum, “we are not only developing technical proficiency but also nurturing the creativity, resilience, and analytical thinking that will empower our young people to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.”
Robotics now forms part of the S.T.E.A.M. Innovations curriculum introduced in Grade 7 and extended through Grades 8 to 11, giving students opportunities to advance into robotics and coding.
Programme mentors Careen Cuffy and Andre Roberts said student interest has surged across schools. “The students show up excited every day. Robotics is something that needs to stay,” Cuffy shared. Roberts added that students who struggle in other subjects “thrive here… they get so immersed in building and problem-solving that they don’t even realise how quickly the time goes by.”
The team’s participation has been supported through public-private partnerships, including contributions from Exness, Unite BVI, Harneys, and NAGICO, which each donated $5,000 to cover travel and competition costs.
As Team BVI competes in Panama, officials say their efforts represent a growing investment in S.T.E.A.M. education and demonstrate how local talent can make an impact on the global stage.
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Why does Sharie have to go on this trip? Didn’t teacher go? These people just fleecing the government.
MISS PHOTO OPS GONE TOO?
Right there in red
I am listening to the House of Assembly. Shouldn’t the House of Assembly be the first priority for the people we elect to represent us? If this is so why is Hon. De Castro in Panama watching robots instead of being in the House. We need to know what was the cost of this trip including plane fare, hotel and meals. These politicians are taking advantage of the public’s purse. Why does the Minister, the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Education Office have to go on these trips with the students? What do they bring to the event except getting a paid vacation? This is out of hand! The auditor general need to look into the Ministry of Education.
It seems like these positions are travelling oppotunities for certain people. Yet, they only had time to visit/ walk through schools for a few minutes or long enough to get a few photos. No time to interact properly with the students and staff. They are not really taking education as seriously as they should. It’s like let’s take advantage of the travel opportunities. At the end of the day, their attitude just rubs off on the teachers and the children don’t get the best out of the education system. It’s not even the end of term one and teachers are already burnt out and frustrated with the micromanagement. Morale is at an all time low.