YUVA Academy conducted a team-building session on Sunday, 26 June 2022 at Anse La Raie with all the young people of 14-18 years old who form part of the official Robotics team of FIRST Global Challenge 2022.

Three sub-teams were formed and tasked to build a kite out of the hidden materials (treasure hunt).

Benefits of Teamwork for Student Development and Success

1. Essential social skills

Teamwork teaches essential communication and social skills, such as active listening and effective speaking. When working as a team, students learn how to listen to their leaders and coaches in order to perform their individual roles. Students learn how to listen to one another in order to function as a cohesive unit.

Teamwork teaches students how to respectfully and confidently express their ideas and opinions effectively in a group setting. It’s important for students to recognise that speaking is not the same as talking. Speaking is about understanding how to communicate with an audience.

The way in which a student speaks to other group members demonstrates her level of understanding and respect for others.

2. Improves self-confidence

Teamwork teaches students that their voices are respected and valued. Knowing that she will be heard helps build a student’s self-confidence while encouraging further participation in group activities. This becomes a self-sustaining cycle: participation in team activities teaches students how to be better communicators, which in turn helps every member of the team feel valued and respected. As a result, even the most introverted and quietest members of the team can become active participants and learn to enjoy team activities.

3. Reduces bullying

One of the biggest benefits of teamwork is its potential to dramatically reduce the effects of bullying on students. When a student knows she is valued and respected by others, she will be able to rise above the hurtful acts or comments of a bully. Being a part of a team that genuinely cares about its members will also give a student a strong support system.

Ultimately, team members tend to stick together outside of collaborative settings (like sports practices and clubs), which means they can support one another in challenging settings. Furthermore, the self-confidence from team activities may empower a student to stand up for other victims of bullying who may not have a similar support system.

4. Sets students up for future success

The benefits of teamwork almost always translate into success outside the classroom. There are very few career paths that operate in isolation. As an employee in almost any industry, people are required to work closely with others. That’s why employers prefer to hire people who have demonstrated their ability to work as a part of a team.

Introducing students to collaborative environments early in their school experiences presents opportunities for them to be more productive and joyful as they work with others in a team-based environment. This satisfaction will be reflected in their job performance and career advancement.