Announcement!
Kia Orana! We are thrilled to announce and extend our warmest congratulations to the outstanding individuals who have been selected to represent our Cook Islands National Robotics Team 2023. Join us in celebrating the achievements of Dana Enoka, Kimiora Vogel, Adison Rowe, Uleina Eraio, and Kahana Ellison. These young people have displayed a remarkable passion for STEM and have showcased a commendable combination of skills in technical talent, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and teamwork. Their exemplary traits were highlighted during the selection process, earning them a well-deserved opportunity to compete in the upcoming global robotics competition in Singapore this October. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to supporting them in their pursuit of excellence.
Cook Islands Robotics Competition Ignites Passion for STEM and Robotics
On Tuesday, 11th July 2023, the CEIT hosted an exciting Robotics Competition, bringing together 20 participants aged between 14 and 18 years old. This engaging event aimed to inspire young minds and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills and passion for robotics.
The competition comprised three intense rounds designed to test the participants’ creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
- Round #1: Ice Breaker Challenge – Inspiring the Dream
- Round #2: Build-a-Bot Challenge – Unleashing Creativity
- Round #3: Alliance Challenge – The Ultimate Showdown
The ultimate purpose of this robotics competition was to select five enthusiastic individuals who will proudly represent the Cook Islands at the forthcoming First Global Robotics Competition in Singapore this October. The chosen candidates will have the incredible opportunity to showcase their creativity, critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, and teamwork capabilities when competing in the realm of robotics. This competition also promote STEM education and foster a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among our youth.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participants for their remarkable achievements during the Robotics Competition. The Cook Islands Robotics Competition has undoubtedly ignited a passion for STEM, inspiring a new generation of innovators and problem solvers. Together, we look forward to witnessing our representatives make waves on the global stage in Singapore.
Cook Islands Robotics Challenge 11 July 2023
Curious? Creative? Team Player?
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey of innovation and excitement? The Cook Islands Centre for Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) presents the ultimate coding and robotics competition just for any 14-18 year olds on Rarotonga! The National Robotics Competition details are below:
Details
Date: Tuesday 11 July
Start Time: 4pm – 6pm
Venue: USP Campus
Takamoa, Avarua
Eligibility
Must be 14 – 18 yrs old and enrolled in school
No prior robotics experience required!
Registration
Click here to register by Weds 5th July, 4pm!
About the 2023 Cook Islands Robotics Competition
The Cook Islands 2023 Robotics Competition will be held at CEIT, USP Campus on the Tuesday 11th July. Students are invited to Register for the event and will receive important information about the Challenge via email. This years theme is RENEWABLE ENERGY! Specifically, Hydrogen Energy!
Students will have the chance learn about clean renewable energy challenges, and learn how science, technology, engineering, global cooperation and robotics can help solve our energy crisis!
Students will undergo THREE challenges in this competition and the top five students will be selected to represent the Cook Islands at the FIRST Global Robotics Competition held in Singapore 7th-10th October! The Cook Islands Robotics Team (5 students and 2 adult mentors) will be fully funded to participate in this amazing Olympics-style robotics event as they meet and compete with teams from over 180 countries.
No prior robotics or coding experience is needed! CEIT is willing to train, mentor and support the team leading up to the First Global Competition in October. The Team does not have to be the best robotics team in the nation, but should be a cohesive group that understands the value of cooperation, diplomacy, and solving problems!
The students themselves must be able to:
- travel between the 1st and 10th October
- participate in afterschool team training sessions from the 17th July – 30th September
- be proactive and show initiative
- design and build their robot as a team
- learn how to build, code and drive a robot as a team
- learn the Competition guidelines
- assist in local fundraising efforts
- engage in FIRST Global social media and technical challenges
- treat everyone with respect and fairness at all times
Preparing for the Competition
Instructions about the competition challenges will be shared here. There will be 3 challenges!
Aims of the competition
- Promote STEM education and foster a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among our youth.
- Encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through robotics challenges.
- Cultivate leadership qualities and teamwork capabilities in the participants.
- Foster innovation and inspire young minds to become future leaders in the Cook Islands.
- Provide a platform for students to showcase their talent and interact with industry professionals.
About the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge 2023
The FIRST Global Challenge is an olympics-style, international robotics competition that takes place in a different country each year. FIRST Global invites each nation to send a team to build and program a robot to compete. Teams work together to complete tasks in a game themed around one of the greatest challenges facing our planet, including the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering, in an effort to foster understanding and cooperation among the youth of the world as they use their abilities to solve the world’s problems. The challenges we face as a global society need to be solved, and the next generation can meet the task — together.
Hydrogen Horizons Theme 2023
The 2023 FIRST Global Challenge focuses specifically on the role of hydrogen in the planet’s renewable energy and reduced carbon future. Hydrogen-based energy technologies allow for enhanced methods of carrying and storing the energy generated from renewables.
Click on the links below to learn more about the 2023 FIRST Global Challenge in Singapore, About FIRST Global, and see previous years robots!
Meet the First Cook Islands Robotics Team 2019!
KIA ORANA! We are the first team from the Cook Islands to attend the FIRST Global Challenge. We are super excited to attend and look forward to the learning opportunities this event will bring. Our team is made up of 3 girls and 2 boys: Jasmin Naslund, a year 13 student who hopes to become a lawyer. Tiare Kauvai, also a year 13 student, Deputy head girl at Tereora College, her favorite subjects are calculus and graphics. She is someone who is optimistic, determined and enjoys making new friends. Hellena Faasili, a year 12 student who’s interests include film and design, Hellena is passionate about saving the earth and fighting climate change. Joshua Simpson, a year 13 student whose interests include gaming and sleeping. And lastly, Terall Timoti is also a year 13 student, Terall is a student leader who is also interested in Gaming and programming.
Our Mentors are Jana Robertson, Teacher in Charge of IT support and Digital Technologies Teacher at Tereora College and also Mii Nimerota, the Director of The Centre of Excellence in IT at the University of the South Pacific Cook Islands.
Want to Support our Team?
CEIT are the official Partner to FIRST Global Challenge 2023. We are seeking local sponsorship support to cover the remaining 20% of our Teams training and travel costs. If you support STEM, Innovation, and Youth Leadership development, then consider supporting the Cook Islands Robotics Team 2023!
Email: ci-ceit@usp.ac.fj for more information
Many thanks to our 2019 sponsors
- Damon Enoka
- CITC
- Te Aponga Uira
- Vodafone
- USP CI Campus
- Te Ipukarea Society
About CEIT
CEIT is a private tertiary education provider specializing in information technology, advanced computing and digital literacy education in the Cook Islands.
CEIT established the First Code Avengers Club teaching Computer Programming, Digital Citizenship and Robotics to children and youths since 2019! Our mission is to inspire young people to use digital technologies, in innovative and safe ways, to solve local and global problems! We run the Code Avengers afterschool club each term, during School Holidays, and through in-school outreach programs!
Meet the Team
The Cook Islands Robotics Club is managed by a small team of Cook Islanders with a passion for STEM, education, robotics and innovation! There is room on our team for more people who share our interests and wish to bring science, tech and engineering to the next generation of Cook Islands leaders! Find us on Facebook or contact us via our website.
Centre of Excellence in Information Technology 