From September 25 to 30, 2024, the 8th FIRST Global Challenge was held in Greece, where Beijing National Day School’s (BNDS) Grade 10 students Yang Jianing, Wang Qiteng, Yang Boxiang, Zhang Junshu, Song Yiyang, Zhuang Yushu, Ji Wenhao, Li Anchen, and Xie Jingqi represented China and competed with young participants from 180 countries and regions. After three rounds of 18 matches, they claimed the world championship for the second consecutive year, marking a historic achievement. Additionally, the Chinese team won the prestigious Albert Einstein Award for FIRST Global International Excellence for the first time.

FIRST Global Challenge: A Glimpse into the Future of STEM

The FIRST Global Challenge (FGC), often referred to as the “Olympics of Robotics”, is an international competition for young people aged 14-18. Held annually, each participating country or region sends a team to engage in on-site robot competitions, technological engineering challenges, and more. Through these activities, students from across the world exchange ideas and explore global issues, aiming to ignite their passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), develop professional skills, and encourage youth to take leadership roles in solving social issues while continuing to explore fields like engineering and technology.

Solving Global Challenges with Robotics

This year’s theme, “Feeding the Future”, focused on the vital issue of sustainable food production. The competition challenged participants to use their STEM skills to devise solutions for this 21st-century dilemma.

In the competition, key elements of solving the global food crisis—such as “Water”, “Energy”, and “Food”—were symbolized by differently colored balls. Teams designed and programmed robots to tackle tasks like food production and transportation. Over four days of intense competition, the Chinese team demonstrated excellent preparation, seizing every opportunity to practice. They finished the qualification rounds ranked third, advancing to the knockout stage, where they maintained a strong performance, ultimately reaching the final with the world’s best score.

New Technology Engineering Challenge: Tackling Food Waste with Innovation

The New Technology Engineering Challenge aimed to keep students in sync with cutting-edge technologies. It encouraged participants to design innovative products that could address food waste, a significant part of the theme “Feeding the Future”. Among over 100 submissions from around the world, the Chinese team advanced to the finals and presented their project in Greece.

The team developed an AI-powered food waste measurement tool, which not only weighs leftover food but also matches the data with images of people and food types through a camera. This tool generates a report on food waste and sends it to individuals and cafeteria managers via an app, helping users track the current situation and reduce waste.

For their exceptional contribution to this challenge, the Chinese team was awarded the Albert Einstein Award for FIRST Global International Excellence, recognizing their outstanding robotics skills as well as their commitment to values like cooperation, respect, and shared success.

Voices from the Participants

Xie Jingqi
When the 13 members of Team China, initially strangers, united over a shared love for robotics, sparks flew. In just two months, we went from not knowing each other to becoming best friends. This is perhaps the power of robotics. During these two months, our robot underwent countless iterations. Every new design brought new challenges, which led to further improvements. Every screw and nut represents our hard work.

Standing on the podium and unfurling the national flag, I felt immense pride. Our team members expressed their joy differently—some laughed heartily, others shed tears. But what we all shared was pride! When we shouted, “Team China, you did great!” the atmosphere peaked, and all eyes were on us!

After stepping off the podium, I tossed the ball into the air, and it exploded like fireworks. Everyone cheered and clapped. It was a moment of true connection with young people from all over the world.

Finally, I want to say: robotics is a sport, where anyone can go pro!

Yang Boxiang
This competition has completely reshaped my understanding and deeply moved me. Young people from all over the world gathered around robots, intertwining their fates. In the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens, we forged countless friendships. On the field, we helped many teams, including those from Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Cook Islands... Later, many of them came to thank us and gave us gifts.

In the midst of competition, we worked together, helped each other, and truly achieved a win-win situation. After 18 matches across three rounds, we moved forward step by step and eventually stood on the highest podium as alliance leaders, draped in the national flag. This victory was the result of everyone’s effort and cooperation. We are grateful for the fate that brought us together.

Wang Qiteng
When I arrived at the pit area in Athens, I was truly amazed by the sight of so many people from all over the world, all with the same passion and ideals, gathered in one place. After the competition, I received blessings from team members all over the world, which deeply moved me. In that moment, I truly felt the power of the world coming together. Perhaps, when people like us unite under the banner of “One planet, one alliance,” the world will indeed become a better place. As Black Eyed Peas sang at the opening: Where is the love? Love is here in FGC!

Yang Jianing
Looking at my teammates in the stands, full of excitement, I realized that we had already demonstrated our technical capabilities through exceptional robot designs and performances in every match. We proved that our robot was among the best on the field. Through this journey, I met many friends with similar interests and dreams. We all grew within this new team and contributed to its success.

We must continue to share our experiences with the next generation of team members, participate in, and manage the school’s robotics team, contributing to our shared goals and values. This requires sustained effort and persistence from all of us.

Zhang Junshu
Training was enjoyable every day, even though there were setbacks. But I was happy as long as I was with everyone. In the week before the competition, I was in charge of organizing spare parts and screws. It was a bit tedious, but I kept thinking: what if I did this more carefully? Would the result be better? Because of this, we reassembled the spare parts twice.

During the opening ceremony, we cheered for every team that arrived. Many countries couldn’t make it in person. Afghanistan had only one participant who secured a visa, Sudan had only two people, and the Swedish team’s playoff drivers were from other countries. Someone asked why I was so excited. I said, because this is the gathering of robot teams from all over the world, united in their love for peace.