THE 2020 FIRST GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Each year the FIRST Global season engages youth around the world in STEM. But in a time where we couldn’t gather in person, we launched a fun way for our FIRST Global community to remain connected. Like other seasons, we had volunteer involvement, national teams, and lots of engagement through social media and technical challenges, talks by STEM professionals, and technical training sessions, all while connecting the FIRST Global community around the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic required a shift for the fourth edition of the FIRST Global Challenge. Despite not being able to convene in person, teams remained connected under the theme of “Connecting Communities,” engaging with various content to strengthen their technical and soft skills, as well as bring benefit to their communities.
signed up to participate.
directly impacted.
including 34 female-majority or all-girl teams.
designed by teams.
—Tim Dodds, FIRST Global Emcee
Teams not visible on the map: Andorra; Bermuda; Cayman Islands; Comoros; Chinese Taipei; Guam; Hope (Refugees); Hong Kong, China; Kiribati; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Seychelles; Tonga.
“The FIRST Global Challenge has been nothing short of a life-changing experience for me.”
–Ronav, Team India 2020
“FIRST Global is important because it teaches young people and their community what can be done and accomplished with STEM. Thanks to FIRST Global, young people have the opportunity to show the world their fearless imagination and creativity. Together, we are able to make big and incredible changes that will make our world a better place.”
–Zo-hary, Team Madagascar 2020
“Through FIRST Global, we have learned so much more about STEM and have acquired significant life skills. We recognize that our world is constantly filled with challenges, and we want to thank FIRST Global for providing us with the tools needed for us to use to overcome them.”
–Team Albania 2020
“To me, FIRST Global means more than just a STEM challenge, it means an opportunity. Not only an opportunity to learn more about STEM and robotics, but an opportunity to develop and prepare myself for the future.”
–Ruth, Team Nigeria 2020