The Carver Innovators Challenge launched an exciting new chapter yesterday, April 20, 2026, with the Carver Innovators Student Showcase: Chess at The SoNo Collection. The event brought together students, families, educators, sponsors, and community supporters to celebrate strategic thinking, perseverance, and the power of hands-on enrichment.
This Fairfield County initiative connects students, educators, and corporate partners through immersive learning in robotics, chess, and strategic problem-solving. Over six weeks, K–8 students from Fox Run Elementary School, Tracey Elementary School, Roton Middle School, and Nathan Hale Middle School have been working alongside Carver educators, corporate mentors, and professional instructors to build skills in engineering, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking.
A Showcase of Strategy and Focus
Yesterday’s event featured a lively speed chess tournament, where students competed in timed, one-on-one games and earned points based on their performance. The fast-paced format challenged students to think quickly, stay focused under pressure, and apply strategy with confidence.
The showcase began with welcome and opening remarks from Tricia Ciccone, Carver Director of Elementary School Programs, who thanked students and their families, recognized The SoNo Collection for hosting the event, and acknowledged the support of the program’s sponsors.
During her remarks, she highlighted Carver’s commitment to helping students develop critical life skills through STEM-based enrichment programs, including chess. Through hands-on, project-based learning, Carver continues to create opportunities for students to strengthen critical thinking, patience, problem-solving, and confidence.
First-place winners who tied for first place in the Carver Innovators Student Showcase Chess Tournament at The SoNo Collection on April 20, 2026.
Following the opening, Waid Ramsubhag, Carver Manager of CASPER and Jr. YDP at the Carver Community Center, reviewed the rules of play before the tournament officially began. Students then competed across five rounds of play, with each round lasting approximately 10–15 minutes, including transitions. The tournament built excitement round by round as students advanced through the competition and spectators cheered them on.
The afternoon concluded with awards and final thoughts from Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, who also shared Carver’s enthusiasm about expanding the program to include additional schools next year.
Sponsors and Community Partners
Carver proudly recognized the organizations that helped make the program possible:
ConAir
Sound Control Technologies
BMW of Darien
Terex
National Havoc Robot League (NHRL - Presenting Sponsor)
The SoNo Collection (event host)
Special thanks to The McChord Foundation
What’s Next: Robotics Showcase Today
The excitement continues today, April 21, with the second public event in the Carver Innovators Challenge:
Carver Innovators’ Robotics Showcase
April 21, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 PM
National Havoc Robot League (HAVOC/NHRL)
This second showcase will spotlight the engineering, creativity, and teamwork students have been developing throughout the program, giving the community another opportunity to celebrate their innovation and growth.
The Carver Innovators Challenge is a powerful investment in students’ futures. By bringing together schools, families, educators, and corporate partners, Carver is helping young people discover their strengths and build the confidence to thrive in STEM and beyond.
