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FIRST® Global Challenge Unites 160+ Nations in Mexico City to Inspire Next Generation of Innovators and Future World LeadersFIRST® Global, a not-for-profit organization established to promote science and technology leadership and innovation in young people from all nations through the sport of robotics, brought together students from more than 160 nations last week at Arena Ciudad de Mexico for the FIRST Global Challenge, a high-profile, international robotics competition convening high-school-aged participants who work together to solve global challenges. Ricardo Salinas, chairman of Grupo Salinas, founding member of FIRST Global, and chairman and host of the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge in Mexico City, recognized the passion of the young competitors in creating and driving robots. "This is the best demonstration that this world can become a better world if we all work together," he said. The focus of the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge was "Energy Impact," in which shifting alliances of three nations competed to fuel power plants, initiate renewable energy plans and build a resilient transmission network in a simulated exercise using robots. The event highlighted the importance of various energy sources and making them more sustainable, excited students to learn and discover STEM through robotics, and inspired students and adults alike on the importance of collaborating across places of origin, creeds, religions, and races to build a better tomorrow. This competition inspires not only those who participate, but also many more from the teams' home countries. The inaugural FIRST Global Challenge was held last year with 157 nations. It's based on the principles of FIRST, a K-12 STEM education nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989. "I've learned through FIRST that if we teach the world's young people the common language of STEM, they'll learn how to work together across cultural and religious differences," said Dean Kamen, president of DEKA Research & Development and founder of FIRST and FIRST Global. "Through the excitement of an Olympic-style sporting event, the FIRST Global Challenge is uniting students around the world to solve the greatest problems we face as a global community." Official sponsors of the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge include: Bezos Family Foundation, TE Connectivity Foundation, Qualcomm (News - Alert) Incorporated, Royalty Pharma/Alianzia AMZA, DeKa Foundation, Intel, Shell, Baker Hughes GE, FedEx, Tec de Monterrey, and MexiChem. "At the TE Connectivity (News - Alert) Foundation, we believe that building strong communities and increasing access to education and careers in engineering and technology helps create a sustainable global workforce and meaningful work opportunities for all," Kathleen Ambrose, vice president global government affairs and corporate responsibility for TE Connectivity and executive director for TE Connectivity Foundation. "FIRST Global fulfills that goal and takes it a step further, focusing the championship challenges in Mexico City on solving a social problem. The students we met have overwhelmed us with their commitment and brilliance, and we could not be happier to see our Foundation mission come to life in ths significant event." "Qualcomm is proud to support FIRST Global and the amazing student participants from around the world," said Salvador Blasco, vice president, business development, for Qualcomm Incorporated and general manager of the Mexico office. "This is especially important in places where Qualcomm operates and does business as a way to engage with young talent and give back to the community." "FIRST Global is a driving force in educational innovation, aspiring to reach youth, whatever their background and wherever they live, who share the dream of invention," said Harry Elsinga, chief human resources officer for Baker Hughes (News - Alert), a GE company. "As a global company committed to inventing smarter ways to bring energy to the world, we are proud to support the organization by way of The Baker Hughes Foundation and through student mentorships in locations around the world, inspiring and nurturing interest in STEM education and careers to develop the next generation of innovators, changemakers and leaders equipped to solve global challenges." This year's games concluded with exciting final championship matches and an award ceremony, during which teams were awarded medals in several categories - both qualitative and quantitative in nature - highlighting the qualities that FIRST Global aims to inspire in the STEM leaders of tomorrow. The winners (listed below) for the qualitative awards were selected by a group of internationally selected judges.
1. FIRST Global Winning Alliance Award
2. FIRST Global Finalist Alliances Award
3. FIRST Global Challenge Award
4. FIRST Global Grand Challenge Award
5. Zhang Heng Award for Engineering Design
6. Ustad Ahmad Lahori Award for Innovation in Engineering
7. Dr. Mae Jemison Award for International Unity
8. Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli Award for Courageous Achievement
9. Al-Khwarizmi Award for Outstanding Supporter
10. Sofia Kovalevskaya Award for International Journey
11. Albert Einstein Award for FIRST Global International
Excellence
12. Clara Barton Award for Helping Hands
13. Katherine Johnson Award for Engineering Documentation
14. International Enthusiasm Award
15. Mansa Musa Award for Fundraising
16. Walt Disney (News - Alert) Award for Imagination and Creativity
17. Judges Award - Technical
18. Judges Award - Non-technical
19. Outstanding Mentor In keeping with FIRST Global's mission to inspire science and technology leadership and innovation internationally, the FIRST Global Challenge will take place in a different nation each year. The organization wants to empower all young people through science and technology and is working earnestly to recruit teams from countries that could not accompany us this year.
About FIRST Global View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005502/en/ |