Team Barbados gears up for Global Robotics Challenge in Panama

Four young Barbadians are set to represent the island at the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge, an Olympic-style international competition that brings together high school students from around the world to test their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The annual event, which takes place this year in Panama from October 29 to November 1, challenges teams to design and program robots capable of performing a series of complex tasks.

Leading Team Barbados is Matthew Douglas, a veteran electronics and electrical technology teacher with more than 25 years of experience and a passion for mentoring young innovators.

Douglas said he was impressed by the team’s commitment as they balanced schoolwork with long hours of preparation.

“Their time management skills were excellent. They’ve shown real dedication, and we’re looking forward to success,” Douglas said.

This year’s challenge will see robots collect and shoot small soccer balls into scoring zones, move larger balls into slots for additional points, and even climb ropes — the ultimate test of engineering precision and teamwork.

Fourteen-year-old Jean-Pierre Pilgrim, a fifth-form student at Queen’s College, has already achieved impressive academic results, earning Grade 1s in English A and Mathematics and a Grade 2 in Information Technology while in fourth form.

A self-proclaimed lover of computers and gaming, Pilgrim said he expects “Team Barbados to do well as the guys worked really hard to move the project forward.”

Makai Beckles-Lewis, 15, from Combermere School, describes himself as an animal lover and robotics enthusiast.

“I’m excited to attend the FIRST Global Challenge in Panama because I’ll get to see many different cultures,” he said.

Kurt Hazell, 16, also a Combermerian and athlete who represented his school in high jump and volleyball, said this will be his first international competition.
“It’s quite nerve-wracking but exciting,” he admitted. “I’m eager to compete against others.”

Fifteen-year-old Nathan Douglas, of The Lodge School, said he’s drawn to the mechanical side of robotics.

“I joined robotics camp to build my technical skills,” he shared, noting his hobbies include football, Legos, and building with mechanical parts.

Supporting the team is 13-year-old Christopher Smith from St. Winifred’s School, who is eager to gain exposure to global robotics and learn from older students.

The team departed on Monday afternoon ready to test their skill on the world stage.

(PR)