With the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge in Panama approaching, our robotics team is not just fine-tuning their robot—they are building a strong, united team spirit that will carry them through the competition. Over the past weeks, the team has shown incredible energy, collaboration, and creativity. Every member’s contribution is shaping not only the robot but also a team dynamic that thrives on support, innovation, and shared enthusiasm.

Preparing for the Parent´s Workshop

A special event that marks the beginning of every FIRST Global journey is the annual parent´s workshop. Each year, before departure, the team invites their parents to the office for a hands-on experience with the robotics project. This gathering is not just a demonstration—it is an opportunity for parents to engage directly with the project by assembling, programming, and even testing the robot alongside their children.

The team is especially excited for this year’s workshop. It offers a chance to showcase the progress they’ve made, share the skills they’ve developed, and celebrate the journey so far. Beyond robotics, the workshop strengthens family involvement, allowing parents to witness the creativity, dedication, and teamwork that make this group truly special.

Balancing Academics and Robotics

Examinations are just around the corner, and with academic pressure mounting, the team faces a delicate balancing act. However, their strong organisation, mutual support, and focus ensure that they handle stress effectively. The ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and maintain high performance in both academics and robotics demonstrates their maturity and determination.

This resilience is crucial for FIRST Global, where teamwork, problem-solving, and time management are as important as technical skills. By juggling schoolwork and robotics, the team is already practising the kind of discipline and adaptability that will serve them well on the international stage.

A Team with Strong Chemistry

The robotics team thrives because of its unique chemistry. Daily discussions, brainstorming sessions, and even maintaining an organised workspace contribute to a sense of belonging and collective responsibility. These routines may seem minor, but they create an environment where creativity flourishes, focus is maintained, and every member feels valued.

The upcoming parent’s workshop adds extra excitement and motivation. The team is eager to share what they’ve learned and the challenges they’ve overcome. This eagerness reflects a deeper commitment—not only to the competition but to growth, learning, and collaboration.

Meet the Team

Each member brings distinct strengths that together form a well-rounded, dynamic group:

• Aashi is adaptable and thoughtful, always ready to support others. Her intelligence and collaborative spirit make her a linchpin of the team.
• Navish, the team leader, inspires confidence through his calm and inclusive leadership. He ensures every member contributes and feels heard while keeping the team focused on shared goals.
• Hashmi, responsible for assembly, demonstrates determination and perseverance. No obstacle slows him down, keeping the robot build progressing steadily.
• Maëlys combines speed with creativity. Often described as the team’s “right hand,” she manages multiple responsibilities efficiently and ensures smooth workflow.
• Shreya is driven, alert, and proactive. She anticipates tasks and keeps the team on track without needing reminders.
• Sohail, the former team leader, provides quiet guidance and mentorship, helping newer members avoid pitfalls and strengthen their performance.

The combination of these talents ensures the team functions as a cohesive unit, where each member’s strengths complement the others, and creativity thrives in a supportive environment.

Technical Preparation and Innovation

The robot build is largely complete, but preparation for FIRST Global is ongoing. The team continues to refine programming, strategy, and subsystem testing. Iterative practice sessions allow them to troubleshoot problems, optimise performance, and improve coordination.

These technical sessions are more than just practice—they are lessons in teamwork, leadership, and communication. The team learns how to solve problems collectively, adapt to unexpected challenges, and maintain focus under pressure. This preparation mirrors the intensity and excitement they will experience in Panama.

Looking Forward to FIRST Global

FIRST Global 2025 is not just a competition—it is an opportunity to connect with students from over 190 countries, share ideas, and contribute to global problem-solving. For our team, it represents a chance to demonstrate creativity, determination, and the strength of collaboration on a world stage.

The parent´s workshop, academic balancing, and rigorous preparation have all contributed to the team’s readiness. They are confident, motivated, and eager to begin this journey. Every discussion, every test, and every shared success has reinforced their commitment and sharpened their skills.

Conclusion

As the countdown to Panama continues, it’s clear that this team’s strength lies not only in technical expertise but in the energy, support, and chemistry they bring to each other. From Aashi’s thoughtful contributions to Navish’s calm leadership, Hashmi’s perseverance, Maëlys’ creativity, Shreya’s proactivity, and Sohail’s mentorship, the team is prepared to face challenges together.

With strong collaboration, careful planning, and the excitement of the parent´s workshop behind them, the robotics team is ready not just to compete, but to inspire, learn, and grow at FIRST Global 2025.

Tereza Röslerová, Caritas College Olomouc – Communications Officer