The “girl power” Cook Islands Robotics team, along with teams from 190-plus countries, is heading to Athens, Greece, for the FIRST Global Robotics Tournament in the home of the Olympics.

FIRST Global, a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programme, hosts the world’s most international robotics competition.

Uleina Eraio (15), Ruby Newport (15), Evah Sosene (14), Kimiora Vogel (17) and Purotu Enoka (16) accompanied by Miimetua Nimerota, director at the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT), and Jim Nimerota, coach and technical mentor, will be travelling to Athens for the event to be held from September 26 to 29.

“This is the first time we have an all-girls team representing the Cook Islands Robotics Club and country,” said Miimetua. “We didn’t set out to select an all-girls team.”

Peer evaluations were conducted by the students themselves, as well as individual one on ones by their mentors.

Miimetua said the FIRST Global would be a great experience for these students to be amongst the best in the world.

“For them to exposed to that calibre of scientific minds will be a huge thing for these kids,” she said.

“There will also be a tech expo while we are there which the students will enjoy as well as many opportunities.”

The team has been working on its competition robot since June, supported by the Robotics Club members, who are deeply passionate about STEM and sustainability.

For the first time, this year the Cook Islands Robotics Club boasts a membership of 17 students. Last year there were only five.

Miimetua was happy to see the 2023 Cook Islands Robotics team members, Uleina Eraio, Kimiora Vogel, Kahana Ellison, Dana Enoka and Adison Rowe, return to the club to mentor, motivate and share their experiences with the new members.

“Robotics clubs help bring people together who may never otherwise be friends. It unites kids based on their shared curiosity and passion from STEM,” she said.

The Robotics Challenge theme is centered on “Feeding the Future”. The 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 manoeuvre their robot in a simulated world that emphasises the complex and inter-reliant relationship between water, food and energy systems, while balancing these global resources to support a sustainable food system.

Travelling so far to the FIRST Global Challenge, the Cook Islands Robotics team needs support.  

“By donating to their cause, you will be giving Pacific and Cook Islands youth a chance to shine on the world stage and inspire their future in STEM careers.”

The Cook Islands community on the island and overseas can contribute donations through the Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-get-our-cook-islands-teens-to-greece.

For those living in country who would like to donate or support or volunteer, contact connect@cocobots.org for local bank details.