What OI Robotics Students Created at Claude O. Markoe Might Surprise You

Operation Inspire brought STEM to the forefront this summer with a robotics program at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School that offered much more than technical instruction. 

Fifty-two students were immersed in a month-long experience where coding, critical thinking, and teamwork became part of their daily rhythm.

From June 9 to July 9, the program gave students in grades 3 through 6 access to a STEM-based curriculum rooted in hands-on learning. Each day, they practiced problem-solving, explored the logic behind robotic movement, and built systems from the ground up.

Two Tracks, One Goal: Build and Collaborate

The program was organized into two tracks. 

DASH, designed for younger students, introduced foundational concepts through Blockly coding and friendly challenges. 

XRP, the more advanced track, introduced older students to a space-themed competition inspired by the national FIRST Robotics framework. The challenge, titled “Orbit Odyssey,” required teams to build and code robots capable of completing complex tasks.

The excitement was palpable on showcase day, especially for parents like Esther A. Gordon-David, whose third-grade son, Octave David III, had spent the summer immersed in hands-on learning. Reflecting on the night before the event, she shared a moment that captured just how much the experience meant to him: 

“Last night, his words were ‘Mommy, you can’t go to work tomorrow because…I’m going to compete, so I came in with my cheerleading motion for my son,” she said. “It was a great experience that I was here in the room looking at the students perform and compete against one another, and I was the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines.” 

Friendly Competition, Real-World Skills

Twelve teams participated in the culminating competition. While four teams earned top placements, all robotics students received awards and took home a sense of accomplishment. The top teams in each track also received DIY robotics kits to inspire continued learning at home.

DASH Division
1st – Light Blue Bumble Bees
2nd – Fierce Lions
3rd – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

XRP Division
1st – Angels in Pink
2nd – Cruzian Kidz
3rd – Purple Legacy
4th – Dandelions

For Instructor Sherline Louis, the energy and excitement students brought into the classroom, and onto the competition floor, was proof of how deeply they were engaged.

“When they completed a task, you should hear them going on in the classroom. You could hear the cheers. They were very excited,” Louis said. “It was rewarding to see that what we taught them – they were able to do….The way they performed today was wonderful.”

Expanding Literacy Alongside STEM

The robotics program was part of a larger effort to keep students learning and growing through the summer. As an added literacy initiative, students also participated in weekly read-alouds and received a book to take home on the final day. The hope was to encourage participation in the Summer Reading Challenge and reinforce the idea that both technology and literacy are tools for building timeless skills like critical thinking and problem solving.

Partner Shout-out

This year’s camp was made possible by committed partners and creative problem-solvers. A previously awarded grant from VIHFA helped fund key aspects of the program, while a generous donation from Centripetal VI, LLLP supported the XRP experience. Daily meals were provided by the V.I. Department of Education, with Boomerang Eats stepping in to support meal delivery logistics. Support from school leaders, including Principal Debbie Calbourne-Thomas and Assistant Principal Cheryl Jeremiah-Ambrose, helped ensure that the program reached its full potential.

Special thanks also go to robotics instructors Louis and Rashida Smart, who delivered an engaging experience despite limited formal training in the XRP platform. Their energy and commitment shaped the tone of the camp from day one.

For Janella Simon, Director of Corporate Relations at Cane Bay Partners, the camp’s impact was clear.

“The expectations for the students were that they would learn some programming, coding, build their teamwork skills, analytical skills, and be able to think quickly when obstacles come up,” Simon said. “This also transfers to real-life situations. So we hope that they take this – not just as a summer activity – but for real-life activities as well.”

She described the program as a success, exceeding even their highest hopes. “Just watching the kids so engaged, not wanting to leave, and actually asking the instructors for more time was more than we could even ask for.”

One of the most rewarding moments came during the final showcase, when the learning beneath the surface became more visible. “You won’t know unless you know coding, like you just see them with a remote and using a remote control. But they’re actually programming as they go along, so that was absolutely the best,” she said.

About Operation Inspire

Operation Inspire is the flagship after-school program sponsored and operated by Cane Bay Cares, the philanthropic arm of fintech consulting firm Cane Bay Partners. The program offers after-school enrichment through project-based learning at public schools across St. Croix. During the school year, Operation Inspire operates out of the Eulalie Rivera PreK-8, Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8, and Ricardo Richards Elementary Schools. This summer, we felt privileged to expand our offerings to students at our host school, the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School, as well as guest students from public and private schools across St. Croix.  It’s always an honor for us to support initiatives that empower young people through education and innovation.