Georgetown, Guyana – In a blaze of national pride and youthful innovation, Team Guyana Robotics 2025 has officially departed our shores, heading to Panama City to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the prestigious FIRST Global Challenge (FGC). The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as the talented team of young Guyanese scientists and engineers embarked on their journey to compete against nations from across the globe.
This year marks a significant milestone, Guyana’s ninth year of participation in this premier international STEM event. Our nation has been a proud and consistent competitor since the challenge’s inception, demonstrating a lasting commitment to scientific excellence. The team has only ever missed a competition due to unforeseen visa complications, making their annual journey a powerful testament to their resilience and unwavering spirit.
The 2025 competition, titled Eco Equilibrium, tasks teams with building robots that can restore healthy ecosystems, remove barriers to biodiversity, and secure environmental protection for the future. This theme resonates deeply with Guyana’s own role as a global leader in biodiversity and sustainable development.
“Watching our young people prepare for this challenge has been inspiring,” said STEMGuyana Operations Manager, Ms Alisha Koulen, before their departure. “They are not just coding and building a machine; they are learning to solve real-world problems. They are embodying the innovative spirit that is key to Guyana’s future.”
The departure of Team Guyana Robotics is not just a trip for youth, it is a national statement. In an increasingly technology-driven world, proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is no longer optional, it is essential, yet the team travels without government or private sector sponsorship or support. Asked for a comment on this matter, STEMGuyana Director, Karen Abrams declined to address the matter directly but stated, “by competing on this global stage, these students are honing the critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills that will propel them into leadership roles and fuel the nation’s growing economy. When these students participate, the nation wins.”
Ms Abrams went on to state that, “The team’s presence in Panama sends a powerful message that Guyana is not only rich in natural resources but is also cultivating its most valuable asset; its human capital. As our economy diversifies and modernizes, the skills these young pioneers are mastering today will be the bedrock of tomorrow’s advancements in energy, agriculture, technology, and environmental conservation.”
The team wished to highlight that their traveling hoodies were sponsored by former team member, Captain and Coach, Arrianna Mahase. The nation wishes Team Guyana Robotics 2025 the very best of luck in Panama! Go forth, make us proud, and show the world the power of a Guyanese mind.
