Concordia, Saint-Martin (French side):--- A group of students from the French side of the island had the opportunity this week to take part in the St. Maarten National Science Fair, marking a small but meaningful example of cross-island educational exchange in the fields of science and technology.
The visit was organized as part of a program led by ANIS ST MARTIN (Association Numérique et Innovation Sociale), a nonprofit organization based in Saint-Martin (French side) that has been working since November with students from Collège Mont des Accords in Concordia. The initiative focuses on supporting school engagement and perseverance through digital discovery, introducing students to areas such as esports, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital culture.
Around ten students in the final years of the French middle school system (4e and 3e) have participated in weekly workshops designed to spark interest in technology and applied sciences. The program aims not only to strengthen academic motivation but also to expose young people to the kinds of skills increasingly shaping the modern economy.
The program's closing activity took the students to the St. Maarten National Science Fair, following an invitation from the event’s president, Dr. Rolinda Carter. For visiting students from the French side, the fair offered a chance to experience the scale and diversity of science initiatives on the Dutch side of the island, with exhibitions and demonstrations showcasing projects in science, engineering, and innovation.
Beyond the educational experience itself, the visit also highlights the potential for stronger cross-border collaboration in STEM education on the island. While students on both sides share the same geographic space, opportunities for structured interaction around science and technology remain relatively limited. Events such as the St. Maarten National Science Fair can serve as a platform to bridge that gap by connecting young learners, educators, and organizations from both education systems.
According to organizers, this first participation could lead to future exchanges involving robotics, digital innovation, and applied science projects, allowing students from both sides of the island to collaborate and learn from each other.
ANIS ST MARTIN expressed its appreciation to the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation and its president, Dr. Rolinda Carter, for extending the invitation, as well as to Ms. Noreskal and Collège Mont des Accords for supporting the initiative.
For ANIS ST MARTIN, initiatives like this demonstrate how digital technology and science education can also become tools for strengthening connections between the two sides of the island while encouraging youth engagement and opportunity.
