A team of four students from the Virgin Islands will compete in an Olympic-style robotics competition from Saturday through Tuesday in Singapore.
Amani Brown, Denae Scatliffe-Chalwell and Jayron Gibson of Elmore Stoutt High School and K’Dyah James of the VI School of Technical Studies will join teams from around the world at the “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Challenge,” according to government.
The VI team was selected following a robotics workshop attended by more than 50 students on Sept. 1, according to government.
Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro said the contest — which is held in a different country every year— is an opportunity for the students to showcase their talent on an international stage.
“It is an opportunity to be inspired by experts in the field and to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems,” she added.
US charity
The host organisation, FIRST Global, is a United States-based charity with a mission to inspire leadership and innovation in youths across the world, according to acting Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe.
“It is not just about competition, but also about collaboration and learning from each other,” she said, adding, “With over 180 nations participating, it is a testament to the global interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education and robotics.”
The VI students will be accompanied by mentors Careen Cuffy-Jules and Andre Roberts.
Education Officer for Science Renee Weston and Education Officer for Information and Computer Technology Lauren Welch are coordinating the students’ participation in the event, which will be held under the theme “Hydrogen Horizons.”
The team’s participation is sponsored by FIRST Global, according to government.