We are Team Guam, and are excited to participate in this year’s FIRST Global Challenge. Our team consists of Leah Beth Nahalowaa (advisor), Rodrick Hidalgo (mentor), Angel Velasco (mentor), Rhoderick Calunan (mentor), Myka Imbat, Zena Jun, Raeka Blanco, Mason Becker, Janessa Alerre, Valeen Verango, and Ryder Torres. Our student members, all with different backgrounds and high schools, have joined together to use their abilities in STEM to help provide support for our island. Most of them have never participated in a robotics competition at such a global scale, so we are happy to participate in this challenge. Over these past few months, we’ve worked on brainstorming ideas, supporting each other during tough situations, and engineering a robot that works efficiently.

Since Guam has such beautiful landscapes, this year’s theme provides us with an opportunity to expand our knowledge on the importance of preserving our ecosystems. We aim to advocate for the protection of these ecosystems, which are vital to the health of our environment and community. Moreover, the ecosystems on Guam, including our coral reefs, jungles, and forests, are some of the most sacred parts of our island. They provide essential resources, such as clean air, water, and biodiversity, which sustains both our local economy and our way of life. With climate change and invasive species threatening these natural environments, it’s crucial to prioritize their conservation and restoration. As a team, we hope to raise awareness about the need to protect our ecosystems and ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from the resources that our island provides.

Overall, we hope this experience will help us be more knowledgeable not only in STEM, but also regarding global issues and cultural awareness. Learning about the difference between our culture and other countries is something we aspire to do. We’re grateful for the local support from our island.

Team Media

fgcguam671@gmail.com

Thank you to our supporters!