The Cayman Islands national robotics team recently competed at the 2023 FIRST Global Challenge in Singapore. Team manager Glenda McTaggart gave Camana Bay Times the inside scoop.
As we boarded the British Airways flight, we were filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty about what to expect on the other side of the world.
We were going to be immersed in a completely different culture and time zone. Our exhaustion gave way to excitement when we were met in Singapore by the FIRST team of ambassadors and dozens of teams arriving from across the globe. The excitement was contagious as we arrived at the lobby of our hotel to a sea of competitors welcoming us with waving flags and cheers.
Each of the four days of competition began with an early breakfast featuring foods both familiar and not so familiar, giving us an opportunity to learn about cuisines and customs of the world. After breakfast, we boarded a bus filled with teams buzzing with excitement headed to the Singapore EXPO.
As we entered the venue for the first time, teams were overwhelmed by the size of the event and the army of welcoming volunteers directing traffic. There it was, the Cayman Islands' pit – with Canada and Cameroon on either side to greet us. We unpacked our robot and headed to the practice field. Although each country received the same kit of parts, the robots could not be more different in size, sophistication and design.
“Having the opportunity to meet so many people from different places and seeing how they do things in their countries you learn so much more about robotics and more innovate ways to complete certain tasks. In addition, when you’re there and talking to many people where in some cases English isn’t a first or second language you develop a greater sense of patience and understanding to get the most out of your alliances or matches.”
~ Amiya Tahal
Maneuvering practice matches showed us the modifications that we needed to make to our robot’s design and programming and helped prepare us for the fast pace of the competition ahead.
After four days of intense competition — forming alliances with more than 20 countries — Team Cayman Islands, including Cayman International School senior Maxwell Clarke, was a part of nine winning alliances and only one losing alliance. Although our games did not result in the high scores needed to be in the winner’s circle, we were proud of our results and finished with a ranking better than 102 other countries.
“I personally gained somewhat of an epiphany; the realisation that what I've been given the chance to be a part of is one of the biggest things I'll ever do. It fills me with pride that I was selected for such an international event, and that we as a team now stand as role models that can demonstrate what the young people of not only the Cayman Islands, but also of the world, can do."
~ Sophia Villarin
During the event, teams could attend presentations by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale and other universities about applying to their respective robotics, mechatronics and mechanical engineering programmes. Innovative companies also demonstrated their latest robotic products used for building security, logistics and more.
We spent a day exploring Singapore after the event, from its many iconic buildings and modern architecture to Chinatown and Little India, where we experienced the vibrant shops and street food stalls with their smells and flavours of familiar and foreign foods.
Glenda McTaggart is the Senior Manager, Education Programmes for Dart. She oversees the Dart Scholar and Minds Inspired programmes.
This article was originally published in the November 2023 print edition of Camana Bay Times.
As we boarded the British Airways flight, we were filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty about what to expect on the other side of the world.
We were going to be immersed in a completely different culture and time zone. Our exhaustion gave way to excitement when we were met in Singapore by the FIRST team of ambassadors and dozens of teams arriving from across the globe. The excitement was contagious as we arrived at the lobby of our hotel to a sea of competitors welcoming us with waving flags and cheers.
Each of the four days of competition began with an early breakfast featuring foods both familiar and not so familiar, giving us an opportunity to learn about cuisines and customs of the world. After breakfast, we boarded a bus filled with teams buzzing with excitement headed to the Singapore EXPO.
As we entered the venue for the first time, teams were overwhelmed by the size of the event and the army of welcoming volunteers directing traffic. There it was, the Cayman Islands' pit – with Canada and Cameroon on either side to greet us. We unpacked our robot and headed to the practice field. Although each country received the same kit of parts, the robots could not be more different in size, sophistication and design.
“Having the opportunity to meet so many people from different places and seeing how they do things in their countries you learn so much more about robotics and more innovate ways to complete certain tasks. In addition, when you’re there and talking to many people where in some cases English isn’t a first or second language you develop a greater sense of patience and understanding to get the most out of your alliances or matches.”
~ Amiya Tahal
Maneuvering practice matches showed us the modifications that we needed to make to our robot’s design and programming and helped prepare us for the fast pace of the competition ahead.
After four days of intense competition — forming alliances with more than 20 countries — Team Cayman Islands, including Cayman International School senior Maxwell Clarke, was a part of nine winning alliances and only one losing alliance. Although our games did not result in the high scores needed to be in the winner’s circle, we were proud of our results and finished with a ranking better than 102 other countries.
“I personally gained somewhat of an epiphany; the realisation that what I've been given the chance to be a part of is one of the biggest things I'll ever do. It fills me with pride that I was selected for such an international event, and that we as a team now stand as role models that can demonstrate what the young people of not only the Cayman Islands, but also of the world, can do."
~ Sophia Villarin
During the event, teams could attend presentations by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale and other universities about applying to their respective robotics, mechatronics and mechanical engineering programmes. Innovative companies also demonstrated their latest robotic products used for building security, logistics and more.
We spent a day exploring Singapore after the event, from its many iconic buildings and modern architecture to Chinatown and Little India, where we experienced the vibrant shops and street food stalls with their smells and flavours of familiar and foreign foods.
Glenda McTaggart is the Senior Manager, Education Programmes for Dart. She oversees the Dart Scholar and Minds Inspired programmes.
This article was originally published in the November 2023 print edition of Camana Bay Times.