3 minute read
GLOBAL RECOGNITION for Team Cambodia
by Aok Panha, 17-year-old Grade 11 student at Methodist School of Cambodia. He was a member of the Team Cambodia which participated in the FIRST Global Challenge Robotics Competition held in Athens, Greece.
The FIRST Global Challenge (FGC) Robotics Competition was held in Athens, Greece, from 24 to 29 September 2024. The event brought together participants from over 180 countries.
Team Cambodia secured 2nd place among the global teams and won the Silver Medal in the Zhang Heng Award for Engineering Design. This award recognises teams whose robots demonstrate engineering excellence, as well as elegance and effectiveness during the challenge.
My experience at the FGC Robotics Competition was both new and exciting, as it was my first time participating in such a global event. Through this journey, I have gained valuable knowledge about robotics and programming. Most importantly, I have discovered more about myself, which has been crucial for my personal growth.
During this competition, I made new friends and worked together with them toward a shared goal. In preparation, we learnt to design and build an optimal robot and operate it effectively as a team. Teamwork was essential, as we took time to understand each other, share ideas, and collaborate closely to achieve success.
One of the highlights for me was interacting with people from other countries. It was exhilarating to meet new people, exchange ideas across language and cultural barriers, and work together on robots aimed at making the world a better place. When my teammates and I faced challenges, we collaborated to find solutions. For example, we assigned roles, shared ideas, and researched ways to resolve problems. Overcoming these challenges taught us the value of teamwork and problem-solving.
Overcoming these challenges taught us the value of teamwork and problem-solving.
This experience has not only deepened my understanding of myself but also taught me how to work effectively in real-life team settings. Participating in the FGC has fuelled my interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and motivated me to further pursue robotics. The dedication, creativity, and teamwork displayed by my team truly paid off. We achieved 2nd place among the global teams and also won the Silver Medal in the prestigious Zhang Heng Award for Engineering Design.
About Methodist School of Cambodia
A school established by MMS to provide education for Cambodian children from nursery through Grade 12. Coursework is aligned with the Khmer National Curriculum, with added instruction in English, IT, and Christian Education. (www.methodist.edu.kh)
Editor’s Note: Team Timor-Leste also participated in FGC. They were from the St Paul Methodist School. Read a team member’s article on page 18 of Harvest Force 2025 Issue 1.
