The Virgin Islands wrapped up Innovation Week 2026 on November 5 and 6 with its fourth annual Inter-School Chess Tournament, a landmark event that saw primary school competitors take part in the championship for the first time alongside secondary players.
Running from November 2 to 6 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre, the five-day initiative operated under the banner "Young Minds. Big Questions. Bold Solutions." and combined hands-on scientific work, teacher training and strategic competition across the Territory.
The week opened with THINK IT!, inviting Grades 4 to 6 students to tackle scientific mysteries and practical investigations. On Tuesday, secondary students in Grades 7 to 11 engaged in TEST IT!, which featured crime scene investigations and experimental design challenges. Wednesday brought TRANSFORM IT!, a professional development session where teachers examined methods for guiding students through scientific inquiry and strengthening future Science Fair entries.
Elmore Stoutt High School claimed victory in both tournament divisions. A tight Senior Division final went to a tiebreaker between Elmore Stoutt and Bregado Flax Educational Centre, which finished second in both categories. St. George's Secondary School took third in the Senior Division, and Claudia Creque Educational Centre placed third in the Junior Division.
Education Officer for Science and Physical Education Renee Weston-Caines told the closing ceremony that students had shown "truly inspiring" levels of talent and intellectual commitment. She stressed that achievement extended beyond trophies, noting that "every match played, every challenge faced, and every lesson learned is a victory in itself."
Agape Total Life Academy and BVI Seventh-day Adventist School competed in the chess tournament for the first time. The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports credited the Virgin Islands Chess Federation, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Guana Fund and other partners for backing the week's activities.
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