Robot showdown: Trinidad and Tobago youth compete in FIRST Tech Challenge

Robotics and engineering talent from across Trinidad and Tobago converged for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Tournament 2026. Hosted by the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) and sponsored by Shell Trinidad and Tobago Ltd., the event featured secondary school students and youth teams.

“

Today is a massive milestone. By officially transitioning from the FIRST Lego League into the FIRST Tech Challenge, we are joining a worldwide community of young minds who are designing, building, and competing on an international stage, while developing essential life skills that extend well beyond the classroom. FTC is an arena where students learn to think on their feet, collaborate, communicate under pressure, and tackle real engineering problems. It teaches grit, creativity, leadership, and adaptability, the very qualities that modern industries and global economies increasingly demand in today’s environment.

These young competitors spent months designing, building, and programming robots to tackle a variety of challenges. The tournament evaluated their technical skills, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and engineering design processes. Ten teams, representing schools and youth organizations, demonstrated exceptional skill and collaboration throughout the competition.

NIHERST chairman Dr. Indira Rampersad emphasized the significance of the transition to the FIRST Tech Challenge. "By officially transitioning from the FIRST Lego League into the FIRST Tech Challenge, we are joining a worldwide community of young minds who are designing, building, and competing on an international stage," she stated. Rampersad added that the FTC develops essential life skills, teaching students to "think on their feet, collaborate, communicate under pressure, and tackle real engineering problems," fostering qualities like grit, creativity, leadership, and adaptability.

“

Today has been about far more than robots on a competition field. It has been about learning to identify a problem, develop an idea, test it, improve it and work with others towards a solution. These are habits that will serve our young people in engineering, medicine, agriculture, business, the creative industries, public service and every field in which Trinidad and Tobago needs capable minds. This tournament marks an important step for STEM education in Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath observed that the tournament was about more than just robots. "Today has been about far more than robots on a competition field. It has been about learning to identify a problem, develop an idea, test it, improve it and work with others towards a solution," he said. Dowlath stressed that these habits are crucial for future success in various fields, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, business, and public service, and that the tournament marks an important step for STEM education in the nation.

“

We must encourage young people to understand the value of physics, mathematics, engineering and how it is multidisciplinary

Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Prakash Persad also praised the students for embracing technology and innovation. He urged encouragement for young people to understand the value of physics, mathematics, and engineering, highlighting their multidisciplinary nature. Persad stated, "if you think and analyze, you can be the first in the world anywhere."

“

if you think and analyze, you can be the first in the world anywhere