Kenyan high school students have once again placed the country on the global technology map after emerging second in the 2025 FIRST Global Robotics Challenge held in Panama City, Panama, from October 27 to November 1.
The prestigious international competition brought together bright young minds from over 190 countries, all branded as “rising talents” in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Each team was tasked with designing and building a robot capable of solving real-world challenges based on an annual theme drawn from the 14 grand engineering challenges.
This year’s theme, “Eco-Equilibrium,” focused on protecting biodiversity. Participating teams were required to engineer robots that could restore balance to simulated ecosystems. The Kenyan team’s innovation and collaboration earned them a silver medal in the Event Finals, a feat that highlights the nation’s growing strength in STEM education.
“In a stunning display of teamwork, FGC Team Kenya has achieved a major victory on the world stage,” read a statement from the event organizers. “The competition was designed to model the real-world challenges of conservation, encouraging teams to think creatively about environmental stewardship.”
The robots had to navigate complex fields, removing “barriers” representing pollution and adding “biodiversity units” that symbolized the reintroduction of native species.
Kenya has been a consistent participant in the FIRST Global Challenge since its inception in 2017, with each team returning home with accolades. Organizers emphasized that the competition equips young innovators with critical problem-solving and technological skills necessary for a fast-evolving digital future.
As Kenya continues to shift its education system toward competency-based learning, the success of the robotics team underscores the importance of nurturing creativity, collaboration, and hands-on experience in STEM disciplines.
