title: “A meeting from Canada (TO TRANSLATE)”
The FIRST Global Challenge is much more than just a robotics competition. It is also about meeting people, exchanging ideas, and having conversations that can completely change the way we see the competition.
On Sunday, we had the opportunity to meet Philip, a 14-year-old member of Team Canada, along with his father, Jean-Christophe. In between preparations, they kindly took the time to answer a few of our questions.
From the very beginning of our conversation, Philip’s enthusiasm was evident. Within his team, he is responsible for communications and also helps with fundraising. Although this is his first time attending the FIRST Global Challenge, it is far from his first experience in robotics—he has already competed in several robotics competitions.
So why travel all the way to South Korea?
For Philip, the answer is simple: to meet teams from all around the world. His father shares the same perspective and emphasizes the importance of these international exchanges. Beyond the competition itself, the FIRST Global Challenge creates opportunities for young people who share the same passion to connect with one another.
When we asked them to describe the atmosphere of the event, smiles immediately appeared. Philip simply described it as “pleasant,” while Jean-Christophe summed it up with a phrase that made us smile: “organized chaos!” A description that perfectly captures the lively energy surrounding the competition fields.
Of course, there is also a bit of pressure. Philip hopes to take part in as many matches as possible and admits that he cannot wait for the competition to begin. Despite the excitement and nerves, he is especially enthusiastic about this year’s theme. He appreciates that the challenge highlights issues related to nature and the environment, a view shared by his father, who described the challenge as “great.”
As our conversation continued, they also explained how their team operates. The coaches are there to guide and advise the students, but it is the team members themselves who design and build the solutions. Everyone has an important role to play, whether in communications, mechanical design, or securing sponsorships and partnerships.
Philip also told us that he previously competed on a team where the atmosphere was far more stressful. In his opinion, the FIRST Global Challenge offers something different: while everyone certainly wants to win, collaboration and sharing are just as important as competition.
Our conversation was a reminder that the FIRST Global Challenge is about much more than robotics. Behind every robot are passionate young people, dedicated families, and, above all, inspiring stories waiting to be shared.
We warmly thank Philip and Jean-Christophe for taking the time to talk with us, and we wish them all the best for the rest of the competition.