Engineering Success: Building Competitive Robots for International Challenges

On Tuesday afternoons, the Upper School Loft is filled with the hum of motors, the clinking of tools, and the rhythmic sawing of steel. This space, dedicated to ISP’s Robotics programme, hosts the US Robotics Club, a group of students working together to build robots for two distinct competitions in early 2025: the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) qualifiers and the CEESA High School Tech Robotics Competition.

While each team works on their own robot designs, both competitions offer an exciting opportunity to put their engineering skills to the test. The FTC, a global event with over 3,000 teams, focuses on building robots that tackle real-world challenges, such as this year’s ocean exploration theme. Meanwhile, the CEESA tournament, a regional competition, also provides a platform for showcasing innovation and teamwork on an international stage.

During the club, we always prepare for upcoming competitions. We design, build, and code the robot together. The club is a design space for us, where we can experiment and constantly improve upon our already existing ideas in the hope of performing well in upcoming competitions.

Advieek, Grade 11 - Member of the US Robotics Club

About the Competitions

The FTC is an international competition that challenges students to design, build, and code robots to solve complex problems. This year, the challenge focuses on ocean exploration, where students develop robots that can perform tasks such as collecting samples or navigating through underwater environments. The ultimate goal is to qualify for the FIRST Championship, a prestigious event with global recognition.

On the other hand, the CEESA High School Tech Robotics Championships provide another avenue for competition, focusing on similar skills but with different challenges. The regional event brings together teams from across Europe and beyond, offering opportunities for students to develop their robots and compete for top prizes, while also fostering an environment of learning and collaboration.

For both competitions, the aim is the same: to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and technical skills that will serve the students well beyond the competition.

The past year we have been on a winning streak, which we hope continues in upcoming years.

Niki, Grade 10 - Member of the US Robotics Club

Innovating with Experience

The teams' dedication to robotics has already led to significant achievements. Over the past year, the US Robotics Club attended three competitions, bringing home three awards: two for robot performance and one for teamwork. Furthermore, one team ranked 43rd out of 200 countries in the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge in Athens, one of the most prestigious and intensive robotics tournaments worldwide.

As they prepare for the upcoming season, each team is refining their designs, drawing on past experiences and successes while adapting to new challenges. While some teams focus on the ocean exploration theme for the FTC, others are tackling different objectives for the CEESA competition. Regardless of the competition, all teams share a commitment to innovation and problem-solving.

Teamwork: The Heart of the Robot

Teamwork is the foundation of every successful robot. While each team member may be responsible for different aspects of the design, from programming to mechanical construction, it’s the collective effort that ensures every piece works together seamlessly.

Teamwork is the most important aspect above skill and dedication. Without effective teamwork, it’s very difficult to build a cohesive robot. Each individual is working on a different task, and without collaboration, it’s easy to forget how all the different segments need to come together.

Greta, Grade 10 - Member of the US Robotics Club

A Look Ahead

As they move forward into the qualifying rounds of both the FTC and CEESA competitions, the teams are excited to apply what they’ve learned from past events and continue to refine their designs. They’re looking forward to testing their skills against other talented teams, whether that’s in the global arena of the FTC or the finals of the CEESA competition.

To follow the teams' progress and stay updated on their journey, you can check out their Instagram account, where they share behind-the-scenes looks at their work, updates from competitions, and highlights from their robotics experiences.

A Celebration of STEM and Future Innovation

For these students, robotics is more than just a project - it’s a passion that extends to real-world applications in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and disaster response. They take pride in knowing that the robots they build could one day contribute to saving lives, just as many robots in use today are already doing.

With determination, teamwork, and continuous improvement, these teams are not just building robots - they’re laying the foundation for future breakthroughs in technology and innovation.