Virgin Islands students continue to shine on the world robotics stage
Team BVI is making the Virgin Islands proud at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge, currently ranking 30th out of 181 teams as the international robotics competition enters its final day in Panama City.
This milestone marks the team’s best performance to date, reflecting the determination, skill, and teamwork of five young Virgin Islanders — Eleazar Brooks, Keyara Smith, Jayron Gibson, Judiah Case, and Denae Scatliffe-Chalwell — who are competing with their custom-built robot, Artemis.
The students return to the field this morning in Ranking Match 307 at 10:50 a.m. (AST), with hopes of finishing strong as they represent the Virgin Islands on the global stage.
Now in their third consecutive year of competition, Team BVI has shown consistent growth since their debut in Singapore in 2023, when they placed 143rd out of 191 teams. In 2024, they rose to 111th out of 180 teams in Greece — and this year’s jump into the top 30 cements their reputation as one of the fastest-rising teams in the region.
The FIRST Global Challenge brings together young innovators from more than 180 countries to design and build robots that tackle real-world challenges using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The 2025 edition, hosted in Panama from October 29 to November 1, emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and sustainability through robotics.
As the final matches unfold today, excitement continues to build both in Panama and back home in the Virgin Islands, where supporters are celebrating Team BVI’s success and cheering them on to the finish line.
“This incredible milestone reflects the teamwork, determination, and passion our students have poured into every match so far,” the team shared on social media. “We’re proud to represent the Virgin Islands with pride here in Panama.”
Team BVI’s journey not only highlights the growing strength of the Territory’s youth in STEM but also serves as an inspiration for future innovators across the Virgin Islands.
