01 Sep 2024 FIRST Global Challenge: Students from 190+ Countries to Unite in Athens for Robotics Tournament in the Home of the Olympics

WASHINGTON, DC – FIRST Global, the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen, is proud to announce that the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge will take place in the historic city of Athens, Greece. Scheduled for September 26 – 29, the world’s most international robotics competition will assemble young minds from over 190 countries to engage in an educational competition centered on the theme “Feeding the Future.”

“We are thrilled to bring the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge to Athens, a city rich in history and innovation,” remarked Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST Global. “In a world fraught with conflict, our mission is more important than ever before. Through initiatives like the FIRST Global Challenge, an event built upon STEM education and our core values of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®, we create an environment where people from diverse backgrounds work together and practice empathy, inclusivity, and respect. It is only by fostering these values that we can build a more harmonious world for future generations.”

The Feeding the Future Robotics Challenge inspires participants to use their creativity and critical-thinking skills to design and build a robot from a standard kit of parts. FIRST Global teams must then maneuver their robot in a simulated world that emphasizes the intricate and interdependent relationship between water, food, and energy systems, while balancing these global resources to support a sustainable food system. Additionally, teams will participate in the Feeding the Future New Technology Experience, an innovation challenge in which students research and develop their own innovative solutions to create a more resilient and equitable food system, highlighting how the application of these technologies benefits economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

In attendance at FIRST Global’s announcement reception were US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, US Senators Joe Manchin and Jeanne Shaheen, NH Governor Chris Sununu, US Congressman Chris Pappas, Co-Chair of the Hellenic American Caucus, and the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the U.S., Ms Ekaterini Nassika. Secretary Raimondo commented on the event, saying, “At the Commerce Department, we know that hands-on learning opportunities are some of the best ways to prepare young people for careers of the future.” Secretary Raimondo continued, “By bringing together young people from across the world in the spirit of unity and friendly competition, FIRST is helping build the kinds of relationships we need to secure a safe and prosperous future for the world. Thank you to FIRST for inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM, and for your commitment to building a better future for our world.”

This announcement comes with the enthusiastic support of our partners in this year’s host nation, including the government of the Hellenic Republic, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and local scientific organizations like MellonLab. The Greek Deputy Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Konstantinos Kyranakis said, “I am profoundly honored to welcome the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge to Athens. This prestigious event, symbolizing the unity and competitive spirit of the Olympics, aligns perfectly with Greece’s rich heritage of fostering intellectual and cultural exchange. Hosting over 190 countries, we are not just celebrating technological innovation but nurturing the seeds of global cooperation and understanding among the youth. Greece is proud to be at the forefront of this global dialogue, demonstrating our commitment to advancing education, technology, and international collaboration.”

This event is made possible through the generous support of FIRST Global’s Title Sponsor, Lam Research, a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry, who shares FIRST Global’s vision of empowering youth through STEM education and collaboration.

“Inspiring and cultivating the next generation of innovators is critical to driving future semiconductor breakthroughs that will enable the world to solve its biggest challenges,” said Tim Archer, Chief Executive Officer at Lam Research. “By focusing on collaboration, and problem-solving, and nurturing STEM skillsets, the FIRST Global Challenge provides an exceptional opportunity for transformational learning for youth around the world.”

FIRST Global believes that by making science and technology as exciting as any other sport, we can inspire the world’s two billion youth to pursue STEM fields and be the leaders who work together to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. By bringing the world under the shared mission of Feeding the Future, FIRST Global and its partners in government and the private sector are fostering a global community of innovators dedicated to creating a brighter tomorrow for all.

For more information about the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge and how to get involved, please visit https://first.global/fgc/

Contact:
press@first.global