MVAA Takes First and Third Place at NCTI Robotics Competition

By S.Browne. Updated 10: 26 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).


Mountain View Adventist Academy (MVAA) has recorded another strong performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, securing first place in the Beginner Category and third place in the Advanced Category at the NCTI Robotics Competition.

The school entered four teams in this year’s event, consisting of three beginner teams and one advanced team. A total of 17 teams from secondary schools across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines participated, including schools from the Grenadines.

Students were challenged to programme a virtual robot using ROBOTC (Robot Virtual Worlds) to navigate a themed map within a set time. The robots were required to avoid obstacles, collect objects, and reach designated checkpoints as efficiently as possible.

Teams were assessed based on a structured scoring system, including the number of objects collected, checkpoints reached, task completion within the time limit, and the quality of coding, including efficiency, complexity, and creativity.

MVAA’s winning beginner team, made up of Form 4 students Jathniel John, Oriley Douglas, Janeisha Da Costa, and Tristan Lewis, secured first place despite having no prior experience in robotics.

Their performance was attributed to consistent preparation, teamwork, and problem solving skills developed through training.

The school’s advanced team, comprising Form 5 students Maxian Lewis, Tariq Isaacs, Zemarkia Welcome, and Arianna Alfred, placed third after building on their previous experience in the competition.

The team improved their coding efficiency and coordination during runs. Other MVAA participants included Divine Pierre, Abigail Jackson, Taysia Nichols, Gabriella Douglas, D’Angelo Jackson, Joshua Samuel, Aaden Billy, and Tryston Balotje.

Reflecting on the experience, student Janeisha Da Costa said, “Robotics isn’t just about coding, it’s about learning how to build a version of yourself that doesn’t give up when things don’t go as planned.”

This achievement follows MVAA’s success in last year’s inaugural competition, where the school secured first place, highlighting continued growth in robotics and STEM education.

The results underscore the growing potential of Vincentian students in technology and innovation when given opportunities for hands-on learning and development.

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