By Foresee Foundation
Science Week 2025 on St. Maarten was more than a celebration of innovation; it was a showcase of what happens when community collaboration meets purposeful planning. One of the week’s key success factors was volunteers – and not just any volunteers. A large percentage of this year’s volunteer corps came through Volunteer.sx, the island’s go-to platform for connecting individuals to meaningful service opportunities.
This was about building long-term relationships.
Volunteer.sx didn’t just facilitate one-time sign-ups. It created connections, many of which are expected to support the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation (SMSFF) in future programs. That’s where the real impact lies. When a digital platform becomes a bridge between vision and action, the result is sustainable change. The platform helped to streamline the volunteer registration process for Science Week 2025 and matched qualified individuals with tasks that aligned with their interests and expertise. This translated into smoother operations, better engagement, and enhanced experiences for students and the public alike.
Science Week itself, held from March 31 to April 4, reached new heights this year. With the theme “Change and Adapt with AI,” SMSFF introduced a broader program and deeper community engagement. At the Fair, the week’s cornerstone event saw 66 students presenting research that directly addressed real-world challenges on the island from environmental concerns to AI-driven solutions. Two new categories – Robotics and Social and Behavioral Sciences – added dimension to the competition. A particular highlight was the Anguilla Robotics Association, which demonstrated robotic kits live, expanding cross-island collaboration and emphasizing the regional momentum behind STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
Thanks to another collaboration with the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), students also received mentorship and academic guidance, enriching the quality of their submissions and encouraging deeper scientific inquiry. More than 500 primary school students, alongside their teachers, toured the fair. Ministers, Members of Parliament, industry leaders, and other educational stakeholders were also in attendance – proof of widespread support for STEAM education in St. Maarten.
Volunteer.sx isn’t just about database, it’s a catalyst for community growth. To learn more, follow the SMSFF Facebook page or reach out directly to Dr. Rolinda Carter at +1-721-556-0520.
